A Long Island, N.Y., public school superintendent will be the next head at the Park School, replacing F. Parvin Sharpless, who is retiring after 19 years at the Brooklandville school.
On July 1, David E. Jackson, superintendent of the Shoreham-Wading River Central Schools in Shoreham, N.Y., will become the eighth head in Park's eight decades.
The Park Board of Trustees chose Dr. Jackson last week after an eight-month search that included more than 100 candidates, school officials said.
The Shoreham schools have about 2,000 pupils in kindergarten through the 12th grade.
Before becoming superintendent in Shoreham, Dr. Jackson was superintendent of the public schools in Sudbury, Mass., assistant superintendent in White Plains, N.Y. and principal of schools in Rochester and Westchester County, N.Y.
He began his teaching career in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Although a longtime public school administrator, Dr. Jackson said he will not be making as large a change as it might seem.
"There is perhaps not as great a difference in the Park School and in the public schools I've been associated with," he said, describing those schools as having "progressive philosophies" that encourage innovative, hands-on learning.
"I'm very, very excited about coming to Park," said Dr. Jackson.
"In my current position as superintendent, I am preoccupied with financial and institutional issues" and able to spend less and less time with teachers and students. Dr. Jackson said he hoped his new position will give him more opportunities to spend time in the classroom.
Lee Hendler, chairman of the search committee, and Dr. Emile Bendit, trustee chairman, announced Dr. Jackson's hiring to Park parents this week. In their letter, they praised Dr. Sharpless, who has been head since 1976, as "one of the most successful and influential heads in Park's history," who has "contributed immeasurably to the current strength and health of the school."
Park, on Old Court Road, has 775 students in prekindergarten through the 12th grade. It was founded in 1912.