New Superintendent Appointed At Bridgehampton School District

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — A new superintendent has been appointed to take the helm at the Bridgehampton School District.

The board of education announced that after a thorough search and selection process, Dr. Mary Kelly will take the proverbial reins on July 1.

An educator for more than 25 years, Dr. Kelly most recently was the superintendent of schools for the Amityville Union Free School District, a position she held since 2014. Prior to that, she served for six years as assistant superintendent, the district said.

During her time in Amityville, she collaboratively developed and implemented a five-year strategic plan to increase academic opportunities and outcomes, improve school climate and culture, and increase family and community involvement, the district said.

In addition, Dr. Kelly oversaw the implementation of curriculum and was instrumental in creating and putting into place an independent science research program for middle school and high school students — and in developing partnerships with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Northwell Health, Stony Brook University and other regional research organizations to support students' research initiatives, the district added.

She also implemented the district’s 1:1 Chromebook initiative, Google classroom, and G-Suite applications.

Dr. Kelly was instrumental in developing operating budgets, contract negotiations for seven bargaining units, and a $70 million bond referendum to improve all school facilities, the district said.

She also established a curriculum advisory council, incorporated research-based best practices to recruit employees, including culturally and ethnically diverse candidates, and established a diversity and inclusiveness advisory council.

Before arriving in Amityville, Dr. Kelly was director of assessments, research, and instructional support curriculum for the Kings Park Central School District, a role she served in after a stint as assistant principal at Kings Park High School. She was also a social studies teacher at Kings Park High School and taught social studies in the East Meadow School District for six years, the district said.

Dr. Kelly is also widely published in the educational field; she was the recipient of the William T. Lauder Award for Community Service and Support from the Amityville Historical Society, gave the keynote address at the 2017 Shanti Fund Celebration of Peace and Nonviolence, and was named educator of the year by the United North Amityville Youth Organization in 2016.

Dr. Kelly, who lives in Kings Park, received a doctorate in educational administration from Dowling College and a professional diploma in educational administration, also from Dowling. She received a Master of Science in education with distinction from Hofstra University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science. She holds licenses as a New York State school district administrator and a New York State school administrator and supervisor. She also has a permanent New York State teaching certificate for grades seven through 12 social studies, the district said.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Kelly to our community,” said Board of Education President Ronald White. “Her appointment is the culmination of an extensive search process and her level of educational skill, experience and knowledge will continue to successfully lead our district into the future and further inspire the lifelong intellectual curiosity of our students.”