West Hempstead Superintendent John Hogan Announces Retirement

The 2015-16 school year will be the last for West Hempstead Superintendent John Hogan, who announced his plans to resign for the purpose of retirement at Tuesday’s Board of Education business meeting.

By making an announcement now, officials say Hogan has provided the Board of Education with a full year in which to recruit a new leader for the school district, with the transition slated for July 1, 2016. Hogan said that he will support the Board of Education’s efforts to recruit a new superintendent in whatever capacity they deem helpful.

“While I have announced my retirement, our work is not over,” Hogan said. “I look forward to the 2015-16 school year and the many successes that have yet to be realized.”

Hogan has served as the superintendent of West Hempstead since July 2007. Prior to this position, Hogan served as an administrator in the Elwood School District for about 11 years, holding the positions of both assistant principal and principal of Elwood-John H. Glenn High School. Later, he was appointed as Elwood’s assistant superintendent for curriculum. Earlier in his career, Hogan was an administrator and teacher for several parochial schools in Brooklyn.

During his time in West Hempstead, Hogan credits the collaborative relationships with various constituencies to helping the district evolve.

“During these past eight years in West Hempstead, I have had the honor of working in collaboration with other administrators, staff, parents and the greater community,” he said. “It is through these partnerships that our district has been able to make great strides and continues to provide increased opportunities for our students.”

Hogan also cites the expanded use of technology throughout the district as one initiative he is most proud of. This includes the addition of Wi-Fi throughout the district and the use of iPads and Chromebooks in all schools. In addition, the development of the district’s strategic plan, in effect since 2008, is another point of pride, having worked in collaboration with many constituencies for the benefit of West Hempstead students.

“Our strategic plan has been our ‘map’ for the decisions that our district has made and has provided our Board, the administrators and the teachers with a clear vision of where we are headed,” Hogan said.

Another accomplishment during Hogan’s tenure in West Hempstead has been the curriculum development that has taken place during a time of rapid change in the education field, officials said. Perhaps most important, Hogan cites the positive atmosphere that has been developed throughout the district, even in the face of challenging circumstances.

“There is a tone of respect and care for one another in all buildings, from our students all the way to our top administrators,” he said.

Photo courtesy of the West Hempstead School District