Over the next several weeks, the Amityville School District will be interviewing candidates for several positions in Central Office, as many of the top administrators will be leaving this summer. Amityville School Superintendent Dr. John Williams said the district is losing a lot of good people, but is also poised to meet new challenges.

"I think that it is a chance for us to get a fresh start," said Williams in discussing what will be taking place over the next several weeks. "Together with the board of education we will be looking to put together a new team, and Amityville will get a fresh set of eyes to take us to the next level."

Leaving are Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Lisa Kontente, who is relocating to the Philadelphia area; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Susan Schnebel, who is taking a position as Superintendent in the Islip School District; Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Enrique Catalan, who has taken a position in Westchester, New York and interim Assistant to the Superintendent Peter Rooney who is taking a job with the State Department in Albany. Also leaving is the district's facilities administrator, Steven Horsham-Brathwaite. Assuming that post July 1 is Ed Mercurio who has a background in the private sector and with school district operations.

Catalan is taking a position with the Henry Hudson School District; one that is similar in size to Amityville's he said, and closer to his home. He currently commutes to Amityville, a 60-mile trip.

"I am very sad in leaving my colleagues in the business office and appreciate the support I have had from the community and the board of education," said Catalan.

The district has received hundreds of resumes said Williams, who has begun the process of reviewing the applicants. He hopes to bring his recommendations to the board within the next two weeks.

"We are standing on the shoulders of people who did a lot of good things here in Amityville and are now looking at moving to the next level," said Williams in discussing the changes. "We want people who have a good team approach and who share the vision we have of this school district and this community."