The South Country Board of Education has appointed Dennis O'Hara, the current superintendent of the Islip School District, as its next Superintendent of Schools. The board made the appointment Wednesday night, and O'Hara is set to start Dec. 1.

His contract runs through June 30. The board called the appointment an important step toward permanent leadership for the district.

The search

The board began the search at the end of the 2025-26 school year. It surveyed the community, gathered input from administrators, faculty and staff, and interviewed candidates, including with a group of parents and community stakeholders.

Board President Christopher Ross said choosing a superintendent is one of the board's most important responsibilities. He said the board is excited to welcome O'Hara.

His background

O'Hara has led Islip schools since July 2021. Before that he spent five years as superintendent of the Hauppauge Union Free School District, starting in 2016, and 13 years as principal of Oyster Bay High School. He began his career as a classroom science teacher.

Officials credit him with expanding summer enrichment and extended school-year programs in Islip. They also point to a partnership with Suffolk County Community College that brings college-level opportunities to Islip High School students.

In Hauppauge, officials say the Advanced Regents Diploma rate rose 30 percent and four-year college attendance rose 10 percent.

O'Hara holds a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree from Stony Brook University and a bachelor's degree from SUNY Old Westbury. He received the School Superintendents Association's 2018 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award.

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