Rockville Centre schools renew Superintendent Gaven's contract to 2028

The Rockville Centre Board of Education approved a three-year contract extension for school district Superintendent Matt Gaven at its first meeting of 2024.

“When we hired you as our superintendent of schools, we told the community that you are a leader with presence; a reflective leader; someone who listens, collaborates and puts kids first always,” Board President Kelly Barry said at the meeting on Jan. 4. “We asked you to make yourself visible at our many events and activities around the district so that you’d get to know our students and community members over the last year and a half. You have consistently done so in a way that is genuine and engaging.”

The district hired Gaven in July 2022, following the unexpected resignation of Superintendent June Chang in 2021, just over only a year into a five-year contract extension.

Barry said that in the 18 months since Gaven was hired, he has already enhanced the educational experience for students in a variety of ways and is consistently looking at more growth opportunities.

“Since his arrival, Mr. Gaven has proven to be fully committed to the well-being of our students,” Barry said in a statement sent on behalf of the school board. “The board’s decision to extend Mr. Gaven’s contract reflects our confidence that he will continue to lead us with the same unwavering commitment he has demonstrated so far. … We look forward to our continued collaboration with Mr. Gaven in shaping the future of our wonderful district.”

Gaven had previously spent 17 years working in the Mineola Public Schools, the last three years as deputy superintendent.

In Rockville Centre, he agreed to a three-year contract that is not set to expire until June 30, 2025. Based on the terms of the amended agreement that was adopted by the school board at last week’s meeting, his contract will now extend an additional three years, through June 30, 2028.

“I am immensely grateful for the chance to lead and serve in a community as committed to prioritizing the needs of our students as the Rockville Centre School District,” Gaven told the Herald. “That commitment begins with the support and leadership of the Board of Education. It has been both an honor and a privilege to collaborate with our team of highly dedicated administrators, teachers and staff. Their passion and commitment are the driving forces behind our success.”

Gaven has worked closely with the school board for the last year and a half to establish goals for the district, including the systematic review of core curriculum, the implementation of a full-day co-teaching model at the elementary and secondary schools, a renewed focus on academic support services, the development of a capital improvement plan, and the creation of a “climate survey” that was sent to students, parents and staff to help gauge the thoughts of the district’s stakeholders.

Based on the results of the survey, the district has already introduced new course options, with a focus on teaching marketable skills for the real world, including coding, robotics, computer-assisted design, 3D printing and engineering. Administrators have also said that they plan to add more new offerings in the future, including a hands-on science program for students in grades K-5, a high school statistics course and a virtual enterprise program for business students.

Earlier this year, another survey was sent out to the school community, focusing primarily on district facilities. The results of the survey will be summarized and shared during the next school board public work session, on Jan. 18.

In the new year, the board plans to focus on communication, taking a more deliberate approach to the way the district engages with residents about the work that it is doing, and the accomplishments of students and staff.

Barry said that Gaven’s ability to analyze, reflect and make informed decisions with students well-being in mind has made an immediate impact, and continues to be a driving force behind many of the positive changes that have taken place throughout the district under his watch.

“Mr. Gaven is a forward thinker and is constantly evaluating and planning on how we can build upon our strong foundation and keep growing,” Barry said via email. “He is firmly committed to continuous advancement, from our facilities to the courses that we offer our students. He is innovative and collaborative, consistently seeking feedback from our students about their experience to learn how we can better serve them and meet their needs, not just while they are with use but preparing them for life after they graduate. We are lucky to have him here as our Superintendent of Schools and I look forward to the positive impact that he will continue to have on our students in the years ahead.”

During the conversation with board members, Gaven said that in the new year the district would take steps to get parents more involved in the course selection process. In the coming months, 10th-grade students and their parents will have the chance to meet individually with guidance counselors about choosing courses that could lead to postgraduate career opportunities.

South Side High School was planning an orientation for 10th-grade parents of students interested in the International Baccalaureate program on Thursday, after press time, from 7 to 8:15 p.m.