Interim High School Principal Appointed

Dr. Francis Banta The Board of Education has appointed Dr. Francis Banta as Interim High School Principal effective August 24th. Dr. Banta will replace Hank Hardy who has accepted a district- wide directorship in another district.

At a special board meeting August 23rd, Dr. Robert Feirsen, Superintendent of Schools, introduced Dr. Banta and said, "Frank Banta has deep experience. We are extraordinarily fortunate to have him fill this position."

Dr. Banta has an impressive resume with extensive experience at the high school level. He has a B.A. and an M.A. in social studies from SUNY Albany and an Ed.D. in administration from Nova University. Dr. Banta's post retirement work includes serving as interim principal at North Shore High School from September 2005 through June 2006, at Roslyn High School from September 2004 through June 2005, at Paul D. Schreiber High School from September 2002 through June 2004, and at Harborfields High School from September 2000 through June 2002.

Dr. Banta was the Superintendent of Schools at Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District from 1991 to 1998, an Assistant Superintendent at Massapequa UFSD from 1987 to 1991, Principal at Paul D. Schreiber High School from 1978 to 1987, and Assistant Principal at Ward Melville High School from 1974 to 1978. He has permanent New York State certification as a School District Administrator and as a social studies teacher for grades 7-12.

As Superintendent of Schools in Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District Dr. Banta directed and coordinated all financial, curricular and personnel functions for a district comprised of a pre-kindergarten through grade three school, middle school and high school. He designed, implemented, and evaluated programs which served a multicultural population that is primarily college bound.

Among his many accomplishments as Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Banta coordinated plans for construction of modular classrooms, athletic facilities and the sale of school property. He expanded computer literacy through laboratories, networking and the Internet, and implemented new programs for study skills, health education, special education, law education, reading, writing and guidance. Dr. Banta was responsible for establishing a site based management model for the schools, initiating a Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee, and integrating goal setting as part of the staff evaluation process.

As interim principal of Garden City High School for the 2006-2007 school year, Dr. Banta is looking forward to a year of challenges, achievements and personal growth for our students and teachers.