School District Hires Superintendent Search Firm

The Babylon School Board has enlisted the services of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, an employment search firm, to direct the hiring process for a new school superintendent.

The contract will cost between $25,000 and $35,000, depending on various search initiatives employed, and the process will involve public input, said board leaders.

“This is going to be an extensive process involving the board, district staff, community groups and the public at large,” said BOE President Dominic P. Bencivenga.

The district hopes to have a new school chief hired by March, and board members said they are looking for candidates with strong academic expertise to replace Dr. Ellen Best-Laimit, who retired after five years this past August.

Peter Daly, who had been serving as the assistant superintendent for business, is now interim chief. He told Patch he has not yet decided if he’ll toss his hat into the hiring ring.

“At this time, I have made no decision," he told Patch. "My sole focus is on serving the district as interim superintendent.”

In other school district news, the first-ever Student Council breast cancer walk event held in October raised over $500.