Sachem Schools Appoints New Executive Director For Special Ed

The Sachem Central School District appointed Michael Saidens as the new executive director for special education, it announced Friday. Saidens accepted the position after most recently serving 10 years as principal of Tamarac Elementary School.

The vacancy left by Saidens will be filled by an interim principal, Arlene Wild, who joins Sachem from the Smithtown Central School District where she served as a principal for 15 years.

In addition to Mr. Saidens’ time as the principal of Tamarac Elementary School, he previously held the position of principal at the Early Childhood Center and Pre-School in East Islip for five years, was the assistant principal of Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School in the Harborfields Central School District for two years and was a teacher at Mills Pond Elementary School and Accompsett Elementary School in the Smithtown Central School District for six years.

Saidens, a Smithtown resident, holds a bachelor of science degree in management from Clemson University, a master’s degree in special education from Dowling College and a professional diploma in school district administration from Stony Brook University. Saidens also has New York State certification in school district administration, elementary education and special education.