Dear North Shore Community:

We are pleased to share that Dr. Tom Dolan has agreed to return to North Shore as Interim Superintendent for the 2026-2027 school year with a start date of July 20, 2026. Many in our community will remember his steady leadership in this role during the 2021-2022 school year, and we are delighted to welcome him back. We are fortunate that Dr. Carol Ann Smyth, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, will serve as Interim Superintendent from July 1 to July 19, 2026, to cover the short gap before Dr. Dolan’s arrival. Mr. James Pappas, Assistant Superintendent for Business, will continue to lead the District’s financial, business, and operational work.

We are excited to have these extraordinary educational leaders guiding the District as the Board begins the important process of selecting the next North Shore Superintendent. While specific details will be finalized and shared in the fall, the Board has already begun evaluating search firms to lead a nationwide search. We are committed to engaging our community throughout this process and value your participation.

Dr. Dolan has served roles across districts since his initial retirement from Great Neck Public Schools in 2016. He came out of retirement for the job of interim president at Nassau Community College. He worked as an interim superintendent at Sewanhaka Central High School District in 2023-24 and part time assistant superintendent for curriculum at North Babylon School District this past year. These are only a few of his incredible accomplishments in his distinguished career.

Please help me in welcoming back to North Shore Interim Superintendent Dr. Tom Dolan!  

Sincerely,

Andrea M. Macari, PhD

President, The Board of Education

On March 9, 2023, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. CarolAnn Smyth, as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, of the North Shore Schools. Since May 26, 2022, she served as the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Instruction working closely with Dr. Chris Zublionis, Superintendent of Schools. From July 2019, Dr. Smyth served as a curriculum director in North Shore since 2006, first as the Director of Science K-12 and then as the Director of Elementary STEAM. Across her time at North Shore, Dr. Smyth has prioritized collaborative work with others to support meaningful and impactful learning for our students. Her work is guided by her belief that each student deserves a well-rounded education of the highest quality which inspires a true love of learning.

Dr. Smyth shared her gratitude for this opportunity by stating, “It is an honor to work at the North Shore Schools. North Shore is a wonderful place. We have amazing students, committed parents, incredibly talented educators, and a dedicated staff. We are a unique learning community committed to honoring tradition and pursuing continuous growth and innovation such that all of our students can discover and follow their dreams. I care deeply about our school district, its mission, and each member of our learning community.”

On May 26, 2022, the North Shore Schools Board of Education approved the appointment of Mr. James Pappas., as the Assistant Superintendent for Business, effective July 1, 2022. Mr. Pappas recently served as the Assistant Superintendent for Business in the Freeport Public Schools. He also worked as the internal claims auditor of the North Shore Schools from 2005 until 2019, and has worked as Partner at Pappas & Company, Certified Public Accountants, for a period of 30 years. Prior, he accepted a position as Chief Financial Officer of the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, Inc. for a period of two years. 

Mr. Pappas said, “I am proud, excited and humbled to be a part of the North Shore School District and I am looking forward to the years ahead.”