New Southampton Schools Superintendent to Be Appointed Friday

At a special meeting scheduled Friday, the Southampton School Board is expected to appoint a new superintendent of schools, followed by a community reception to meet and greet the incoming administrator.

After a months-long search that began when current Superintendent J. Richard Boyes, Ed.D., indicated his intention to retire at the end of the school year, the School Board has picked Scott Farina, Ph.D, a former East Hampton High School principal.

Most recently, Farina was an administrative consultant in Chester County, Pa., according to the school district. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant superintendent and high school principal in the Garnet Valley School District in Glen Mills, Pa.

Farina earned a doctorate in biological physical chemistry and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in chemistry at Drexel University in Philadelphia. In addition, he has a school district leadership certification from Immaculata University in Immaculata, Pa., as well as New York school district administrator certification, according to Southampton School District.

The district noted that the same search firm that had found Boyes has now found Farina, through an online survey, focus groups and community meetings. And there were no applicants for the position from within the district.

Farina's start date will be July 1.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Farina to our community,” School Board President Heather McCallion is quoted as saying in a district statement. “He brings with him the educational skill, experience and knowledge to take Southampton to the next level of success, as well as regional working experience that will serve him well in Southampton.”

Farina thanks the School Board for the opportunity and said, “This is a time of great change in our public schools and communities, and I feel privileged to be returning to Long Island and helping lead a strong Southampton UFSD to even greater heights.”

Boyes said he will collaborate with Farina over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.

The board meeting and welcoming reception begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the Southampton Intermediate School.