During its March business meeting, the Board of Education appointed Harborfields High School Principal Dr. Rory Manning to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Human Resources, effective Aug. 1, 2016. Dr. Manning will be replacing Dr. Francesco Ianni who will be filling the position of Superintendent of Schools, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Familiar to the district, Dr. Manning brings to his new role a wealth of knowledge and experience in education and administration. He began his career as a high school science teacher at Hillcrest High School and then became a teacher and science department chairperson at Division Avenue High School. In 2006, he assumed the role of assistant principal at Sachem High School East, eventually transitioning to the role of principal.

In 2012, Dr. Manning was employed as the principal of Harborfields High School. In his four years as principal, he helped to introduce a number of notable initiatives, including rigorous AP courses, a restructuring of the guidance program and Google Apps for education platforms, among others. Under his leadership, the high school has received numerous state and national recognitions, recently earning a nomination by the New York State Education Department to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award Program. Additionally, he was named Western Suffolk BOCES 2015 Model Schools Administrator of the Year.

Dr. Manning earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Stony Brook University, followed by his Master of Science in human nutrition from the University of New Haven. He received his graduate certification in school district administration from Stony Brook University and obtained his Doctorate in educational administration and supervision from St. John’s University, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor.

“I am excited to join the leadership team of the Harborfields Central School District,” said Dr. Manning. “I am looking forward to continuing the work of our faculty, staff, students, and parents in maintaining our strong tradition of excellence.”