Greenport School District

Interim principal hired for Greenport High School

Robert Feeney. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson)
Robert Feeney will serve as interim secondary school principal at Greenport. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson)

The Greenport school board has hired an interim secondary school principal to replace Leonard Skuggevik.

Retired school administrator Robert Feeney of Centereach, who serves on the Middle Country school board, will serve as Greenport High School principal for an undetermined length of time while the district conducts a search for a permanent replacement. 

Mr. Feeney retired a few years ago, after 28 years as an administrator in the William Floyd School District. He also served as high school principal for nearly two decades during his tenure there.

Mr. Feeney’s appointment as Greenport’s secondary principal was unanimously approved during the school board’s meeting Tuesday night.

Mr. Feeney will be paid $550 per day and will not receive benefits, according to the resolution. His contract takes effect Aug. 27. The school board also approved Mr. Skuggevik’s resignation, effective Aug. 31.

After five years as principal of Greenport High School, Mr. Skuggevik confirmed earlier this month that he will take over as Shelter Island’s school superintendent for the 2014-15 school year. That position became available after Shelter Island’s superintendent resigned to head the Patchogue-Medford School District.

David Gamberg, who was sworn in as Greenport’s new superintendent of schools Tuesday night (see below), said he decided to select an interim principal because there was a “short window” of time to hire a permanent replacement.

He said he’s creating a committee of various stakeholders to help with the selection process.

Mr. Gamberg said three of the six people who expressed interest in the interim position were interviewed and described Mr. Feeney as the “ideal candidate.”

“He’s ready, able and willing to take the position,” Mr. Gamberg said. “I’m delighted to welcome Mr. Feeney.”

Click on the tab below to read a story about David Gamberg becoming Greenport’s new superintendent.