Burak Officially Introduced as Lynbrook Superintendent

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After an extensive and thorough search, including interviews with several highly qualified candidates, the Lynbrook Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Melissa Burak as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1, 2013, at the May 8 board of education meeting.

Following the sudden death of then Superintendent of Schools Dr. Santo J. Barbarino on Aug. 27, 2012, the board unanimously appointed Burak to serve as interim superintendent on Sept. 5, 2012.

Prior to that date, Burak held the position of assistant superintendent for business since 2001.

A 20-year veteran of the district, she began her career at Lynbrook Public Schools as an elementary teacher at Marion Street School in 1993. She went on to teach computer classes at the high school in 1995.

In 1998, Burak was appointed the district’s director of educational communications, computers and libraries, where she served until her appointment as assistant superintendent.

Burak also served as director of the district’s summer playground program from 1994-98.

Prior to her tenure with the Lynbrook district, Burak served as an elementary computer teacher at St. Catherine of Sienna School in Franklin Square.

As lifelong resident of the Lynbrook community, Burak has demonstrated a personal investment in assuring that the school district continues to serve students and the community with commitment and integrity.

“Following an extensive search and interview process, the board chose [Melissa] as the person to lead our children and our school district to the next level of success," Lynbrook School Board President Catherine Papandrew said. "Burak is a skilled educator and administrator who brings significant experience to the position of superintendent. I know I speak for the entire board when I say we look forward to working in partnership with her on behalf of our students.”

“Words cannot express how honored and privileged I feel to be able to continue my work in the Lynbrook Public Schools as superintendent,” Burak said. “I thank the board for having the confidence in me this past year to navigate what became unforeseen, unprecedented difficulties, and then the confidence to move forward and lead Lynbrook toward a stronger position on Long Island. There is work to be done and together we will accomplish great things. I have never felt so proud to call Lynbrook my home.”

A member of the International and New York State Associations of School Business Officials, Burak served as the president of the Nassau County chapter of NYSASBO in 2010. She has offered her expertise in presentations at NYSASBO, the New York State School Boards Association, the School Administrators Association of New York State and the International Business and Economy Conference.

Burak was the 2004 recipient of SCOPE’s Instructional Leadership and Inspiration Award. She also served as member of the Nassau County 21st Century Shared Services Grant Committee, whose collective work brought more than $1 million dollars of savings to Nassau school districts and the county itself.

Burak earned her doctorate in educational leadership and technology from Dowling College and her SAS and SDA certifications from Brooklyn College. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Iona College. She has also completed a professional development program at the NYSASBO Leadership Academy.