EAST PATCHOGUE, NY — The South Country Board of Education appointed Dennis O'Hara as the district's Superintendent of Schools on Wednesday night, officials said.
O'Hara, who comes to the district from the Islip School District, is set to begin Dec. 1, with his contract continuing through June 30.
He was selected after an extensive superintendent search process initiated at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 school year, officials said. The process was designed to gather input from across the district's community to identify an educational leader whose experience, vision, and commitment to student success aligned with the district's priorities, according to officials.
As part of the search, the board solicited feedback through a community survey, gathered input from district administrators, faculty, and staff, and conducted a comprehensive interview process that included a parent and community stakeholder group.
The board's president, Christopher Ross, said that selecting the superintendent is one of the organization's "most important responsibilities," and its members "approached this process with a clear focus on the unique needs of our district and the aspirations of our students, families, staff and community."
He said they are "excited" to welcome O'Hara to the district.
"His extensive experience as a school and district leader, his record of advancing student achievement, his strong fiscal credentials, and his commitment to building strong relationships with stakeholders make him a compelling choice to lead our district forward," Ross said. "We thank everyone who participated in this search process to help inform this important decision."
The Board's appointment of O'Hara represents "an important step forward in establishing permanent leadership for the district, officials said.
The board looks forward to working collaboratively with the incoming superintendent, district administrators, educators, staff, families and community members to support students and advance the district's educational and financial priorities, according to officials.
It also recognizes and appreciates the participation of community members and district employees whose feedback contributed to the search process, officials said, adding, "their perspectives helped ensure the selection process reflected the voices and priorities of the South Country community."
Some community members expressed concern about previous allegations of sexual harassment, when while working a summer job as a lifeguard, O'Hara was accused of taking photos of female lifeguards, but said the photos were taken to raise awareness about the lack of official uniforms, News 12 reported.
The allegations were cleared, and O'Hara resumed his position as superintendent, the outlet reported.
O'Hara told the outlet, "There were three different investigations. I was exonerated, fully exonerated, in three separate independent investigations."
O'Hara holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science degree from Stony Brook University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York College at Old Westbury.
O'Hara brings decades of experience in public education, with a career spanning classroom instruction, building-level administration, and district leadership, officials said.
Since July 2021, he has served as Islip's superintendent, where he developed programs that provided students with academic enrichment, work-based learning experiences, and opportunities to explore future careers, according to officials.
He also supported students' social and emotional well-being, strengthened community engagement, and emphasized school safety, officials said.
Most recently, O'Hara spearheaded the district's expanded summer enrichment programs, extended school-year services, and championed a partnership with Suffolk County Community College to bring college-level opportunities to Islip High School students, according to officials.
Before joining Islip, he served for five years as superintendent of the Hauppauge Union Free School District, beginning in 2016, officials said. O'Hara spent 13 years as principal of Oyster Bay High School, where he helped lead a nationally recognized secondary school, according to officials. He began his career as a classroom science teacher and has also contributed to the education profession through publications in national professional outlets and presentations to colleagues across the region, officials said.
During his tenure in Hauppauge, O'Hara helped advance student achievement and strengthen postsecondary outcomes, according to officials. Key accomplishments included a 30 percent increase in the Advanced Regents Diploma rate and a 10 percent increase in the number of students attending four-year colleges, officials said, adding that Hauppauge High School also earned national recognition for the first time in its history.
In both Islip and Hauppauge, O'Hara's leadership efforts included expanding districtwide curriculum development efforts and improving safety and security throughout district buildings, according to officials.
Across his leadership roles, O'Hara emphasized collaborative relationships, student-centered decision-making, and a shared commitment to educational excellence, officials said.
In recognition of his contributions to education and service, O'Hara received the School Superintendents Association's 2018 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award, according to officials.
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