Roslyn Superintendent of Schools Dan Brenner announced Friday he plans to retire from the district at the end of the school year to accept the same position with the Darien, Conn. public school district.
In a letter to the Roslyn community posted to the school district website, Brenner, who recently celebrated 10 years with the district, said a shortened commute to Darien from his home in Westchester was a contributing factor in the decision.
“My time in Roslyn has been very special,” Brenner wrote. “I arrived following its most tumultuous moments and embraced the challenge of regaining the trust of the community, a task we have collectively accomplished. Together we have built program, followed through on a multitude of initiatives, and most importantly instilled a sense of stability and trust in our district that has allowed the students of Roslyn to thrive emotionally and excel academically.”
In his letter, Brenner wrote that Alison Brown, Roslyn’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, would be elevated to the position of superintendent of schools for the 2016-17 school year.
Gerry Dempsey, who previously served as Roslyn’s interim superintendent of schools in 2006-07, has been selected to fill the superintendent position in 2015-16, as Brown is groomed for the role, Brenner wrote.
“Ms. Brown is an outstanding educator who is known to our community first as the East Hills principal and currently as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. Simply stated I believe she will be a great superintendent,” Brenner wrote.
In a letter to the Roslyn community Friday signed by the board of education, trustees wrote they were notified Brenner was the sole candidate for the Darien position in early December. The board wrote that they expect to accept his resignation on Feb. 5. It will take effect June 30.
“While we will miss Dr. Brenner tremendously, we are gratified by all we have accomplished in collaboration with him and through his dynamic, visionary leadership,” the board wrote. “As a result, Roslyn’s future is bright and stable. We are fully prepared to continue our work and move our district forward in complete confidence with a healthy, strong and devoted governance and leadership team.”
In an e-mailed statement to the Roslyn Times, Brown said she is “excited and honored to have this incredible opportunity, and deeply grateful to the board of education for putting their trust in me.”
“The children and families of Roslyn have come to mean so much to me over the last few years, and I am looking forward to serving them in a new leadership role,” she said, adding that in her transition year she will seek her replacement as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.
Brenner succeeded former Superintendent John A. Richman in 2009. Prior to arriving in Roslyn, Brenner spent 16 years in the Great Neck School District as a school psychologist and principal at the Village School, as well as a five-year stint as principal at Yorktown High School in Westchester County.
Brenner is a Port Washington native who graduated from Paul D. Schreiber High School in the late 1970s. He graduated cum laude from Tufts University in 1981 and earned a Ph.D. in clinical/school psychology from Hofstra University in 1986.
Under Brenner, Roslyn implemented its Apple iPad education initiative to its high school and elementary schools, began a foreign exchange program with China and passed a $41.3 million capital improvement bond.
“I have made incredible friends during my time here and formed relationships that I know will last a lifetime,” Brenner wrote. “I consider it an honor and a privilege to say I have been your superintendent and I truly want to thank each and every one of you for the time we have spent together.”
Brenner officially succeeds former Darien Superintendent of Schools Steve Falcone, who resigned in October 2013 after 16 years with the district. Darien then hired Tim Canty and later Lynne Pierson as interim superintendent.
