Babylon School District Announces New Superintendent

The Babylon Union Free School District Board of Education has appointed Carisa Manza as the District’s new permanent superintendent of schools. Ms. Manza will bring nearly 24 years of experience in education to her new role. She replaces Brian Conboy, who served as superintendent in an interim capacity for the 2022-2023 school year. Ms. Manza has served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Babylon during the current school year.

“Ms. Manza and I have worked closely in various capacities over the years, and I know her as a consummate professional who brings to her work a deep commitment and enthusiasm for the education field,” said Mr. Conboy. “When I brought her on as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at the start of this school year, I knew she would be a good fit for Babylon, and she has exceeded all expectations. I have full confidence in her ability to lead this District, and I wholeheartedly endorse the board’s choice of Ms. Manza for superintendent.”

“Over the course of this school year, Ms. Manza has developed and continues to develop a close relationship with Babylon’s students, teaching staff and parents,” said outgoing Board of Education President Carol Dell’Erba. “The community feedback on her leadership has been extremely positive. She has proven to be a strong communicator throughout her tenure, and she has consistently spearheaded new innovations in our District’s curriculum. The board is confident in its choice of new superintendent.”

Ms. Manza got her start in education in 2000 as a high school social studies teacher for the Sewanhaka Central High School District before moving on in 2002 to teach the same subject in the Hauppauge School District. She received her bachelor of arts in social studies education from Stony Brook University, and her master of liberal arts degree and diploma in school administration and supervision from Queens College.

Ms. Manza brings an educational philosophy that is based on providing all students the tools they need to succeed. “I’ve always wanted my students to feel comfortable taking risks, and I’ve always wanted to find ways to ensure that every student is able to access the curriculum,” Ms. Manza said. “To do that, it has been important to me that I establish positive relationships with students as both people and learners, to set high expectations, and to inspire students to meet those expectations.”

In 2008, Ms. Manza began her transition into the administrative side of education and was hired as assistant principal at Seaford High School in the Seaford Union Free School District. In 2014 she became assistant principal of the Elwood-John H. Glenn High School in the Elwood Union Free School District, and in 2016 became principal of John H. Glenn High School.

“I want every student to meet with success on their terms. Observing the success I had in my classrooms, my mentors encouraged me to take my model of a safe and rigorous instruction to the building level,” Ms. Manza said. “Now, I will be able to take that philosophy to the district level.”

As assistant superintendent for curriculum, Ms. Manza has developed collaborative relationships with various stakeholders in the Babylon School District, and has received a warm welcome. “The Babylon School District is a very special place to learn, and I look forward to continuing my partnership with this community,” she said. “I consider it an honor to serve Babylon and its students, parents and taxpayers. I hope to continue to keep Babylon on the cutting edge of education.”

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.babylon.k12.ny.us. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict/.