Message from the Superintendent

Dear Malverne School District Community,

As we prepare to welcome students and staff for the 2026-2027 school year, I am excited to share several outstanding leadership appointments that reflect our continued commitment to excellence and our investment in the future of the Malverne School District.  These talented educators bring a wealth of experience, passion and dedication to their new roles, and I know they will make a tremendous positive impact on our schools and our students.

First, I am pleased to announce that Mr. Joseph Keuhn, formerly Assistant Principal at Howard T. Herber Middle School, has been appointed as the new Principal at Downing Elementary School.  Since his appointment, he has been working diligently to prepare Downing for the arrival of our kindergarten through grade 2 students, as well as our newest learners in the District's expanding Pre-k program with Nottingham.  His enthusiasm and thoughtful leadership have already been evident, and we are excited for the future of Downing under his leadership.

Speaking of our youngest learners, we are proud to share that our partnership with Nottingham continues to grow.  To provide even greater support for our early childhood programs, Ms. Jennifer Gibbons, formerly a reading teacher at Downing, has been appointed as our new Coordinator of Early Learning & Literacy.  In this role, Ms. Gibbons will work closely with both Nottingham and the Malverne School District to strengthen our early learning initiatives, support literacy development and ensure our youngest students have the strongest possible foundation for future success.

With the departure of Meredyth Martini, our former Director of Special Education, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Rachel Yudin, formerly Principal of Davison Elementary, has been appointed as our new Executive Director of Special Education Services.  Dr. Yudin began her distinguished career as a special education teacher, and her unwavering commitment to our students and families has made this a seamless transition.  Her extensive experience and deep understanding of our community will ensure the continued excellence and compassionate support our special education p[rograms provide.

As a result of Dr.  Yudin's appointment, we conducted an extensive search for the next leader of Davison Elementary School.  We are thrilled to welcome Ms.  Chineeka Davis to the Malverne family as the new Principal of Davison Elementary School.  Ms. Davis brings a wealth of educational leadership experience and a student-centered approach that aligns perfectly with our District's mission.  We are excited for our Davison community and look forward to the positive impact she will have on students, staff and families.

This summer also brought leadership changes to Malverne High School.  As Dr. Miller accepted a principalship in the East Meadow School District, we are proud to announce the appointment of Dr.  Cressy as the new Assistant Principal of Malverne High School.  Dr. Cressy's dedication to our students and school community has made him a respected educator and leader, and we are confident he will excel in this new role.

Lastly, but certainly not least, we are delighted to welcome Ms. Rebecca Campbell back to Howard T. Herber Middle School.  Many in the community will remember Ms. Campbell as an outstanding member of our mathematics department.  She now returns to Malverne as the new Assistant Principal at Herber, bringing both familiarity with the District and a passion for student success.

For information about our new administrators, please look for their pictures and profiles that will be posted to our District's website and social media this coming week.

The Board of Education and I are incredibly excited about these leadership appointments and the opportunities they bring to our students, staff and families.  Each of these individuals embodies the values that make Malverne such a special place to learn and grow.  Together, we look forward to another outstanding school year filled with learning, achievement and meaningful opportunities for every student.

On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you for your continued partnership and support.  We wish everyone a wonderful remainder of the summer and look forward to welcoming our students back for what promises to be an exceptional 2026-2027 school year.
 

Sincerely,

Dr. Maria L. Rianna
Superintendent of Schools
Malverne Union Free School District