Harborfields Appoints Interim Superintendent

GREENLAWN, NY — Dr. Rory Manning has been appointed as interim superintendent of Harborfields Central School District, effective Jan. 1, 2021, the district announced.

Manning has been part of the district for the past eight years, first serving as principal of Harborfields High School for four years before assuming the role of assistant superintendent for human resources and administration in 2016 and then assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and administration in 2018.

"The board of education is confident that Dr. Manning has the professional leadership skills and vision to lead our district," Board of Education President Suzie Lustig said via news release. "Dr. Manning’s dedication and commitment coupled with his knowledge of our schools, students and community will ensure a seamless transition during this time. Even more so, we look forward to watching Dr. Manning execute his vision for Harborfields School District and know it will lead to a bright future for our Harborfields Family."

Manning has served the district in a broad range of leadership roles, including the coordination of many curriculum enhancements and the implementation of the district’s K-12 computer coding platform.

As the district’s data privacy officer, Manning has brought the district in compliance with all data privacy regulations and supervised projects to strengthen network security. Manning has successfully worked with staff and community members as chair of the Mission Statement Committee; Black History Month Celebration Committee; ENL Celebration Committee; the Curriculum Committee of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force; and the Curriculum Committee of the HF Reopening Task Force. He is looking forward to continuing this work in his new capacity as interim superintendent of schools.

"I would like to thank the Harborfields Board of Education for the confidence they have shown in me," Manning said. "I look forward to working together to build upon our success and continue to expand opportunities for all our students. I’m extremely honored to serve the Harborfields community in this new capacity."

Manning has been honored with a number of recent recognitions, including the Harborfields Alumni Community Educational Foundation Making IT Happen Award (2017) and the Western Suffolk BOCES Model Schools Administrator of the Year (2015). However, he is most proud of recognition received by Harborfields High School, receiving a National Blue Ribbon Award during his time there as principal.

Serving in his 25th year as an educator, Manning has also successfully held several positions as a teacher, science department chairperson, assistant principal and principal prior to arriving at Harborfields.

In addition, Manning has served as an adjunct professor in the doctoral program at St. John’s University and in the educational leadership program at Stony Brook University. He and his wife, Sharon, an elementary school teacher, live in East Northport and are the proud parents of sons Colin, Dylan and Blake.