Principal Wiener Resigns: What’s Next for Wheatley?

By Sital S. Patel

In a significant development for Wheatley High School, Principal Mr. Wiener has announced his resignation, effective July 12, 2024.  The East Williston School District is now focused on ensuring a seamless transition and preparing the school for the upcoming academic year, according the school district leadership.

Immediate Steps

The district is on a tight timeline to ensure the school is ready for students in the fall.

“The leadership team, composed of seasoned professionals with deep roots in the district, is stepping up to maintain stability,” said Dr. Danielle Gately, Superintendent of Schools East Williston School District. 

Mr. Wayne Jensen has been announced as Interim Principal (formerly Director of Social Studies and Real-World Learning) and Ms. Mary Alexis Pace has been announced as Interim Assistant Principal (formerly Director of Science and High School Life). In June, the school board announced Dr. Bryan Sarandrea as the new Wheatley Assistant Principal. His position replaces Dr. Karen Klapper’s, who retired recently after more than 20 years in the district.

“Having people in the district for a long-time, five and 11 years respectively, means that they have cultural knowledge of our school district and know the students,” said Dr. Gately. “This will help the interim transition immensely so we don’t miss a beat.”

Preparation for the New School Year

Throughout the summer, there is lots of work happening behind the scenes to prepare for the start of the new school year in September.

Despite ongoing construction and activity, Mr. Jensen, Ms. Pace and Dr. Sarandrea will be available throughout the summer to address any questions or concerns from the community. Their continuous presence aims to ensure the school remains on track, said Dr. Gately.

Looking Ahead

For staff, the school year typically starts in July, which puts the hiring cycle into the 2025-2026 school year. The district says it plans to post the principal position early in the advertising cycle and will conduct a comprehensive search, involving input from teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to find the best fit for the school community.

The district is committed to finding a principal who will uphold and further the values and standards of the school and build on the strong foundation Mr. Weiner left behind, according to Dr. Gately. 

“We chose Mr. Jensen and Ms. Pace to lead The Wheatley School because they have been an integral part of building our shared vision, and they, along with Dr. Sarandrea, can ensure that all those projects and plans continue to move forward,” said Dr. Gately.

Message to Wheatley Students & Families From Interim Principal Mr. Jensen: 

Dear Wheatley Students and Families,

On behalf of Dr. Sarandrea, Ms. Pace, and myself, I am writing to express our excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming school year.  

While the recent departures of Mr. Wiener and Dr. Klapper represent significant changes at The Wheatley School, we know that so much of what makes Wheatley a great place to learn and grow remains unchanged.

The remarkable student body, with all of its creativity, its different passions, and its collaborative spirit, continues to be at the heart of The Wheatley School.

The incredible faculty and staff will be here to greet you when our doors open at the end of the summer, with their love for their subjects, their passion for teaching, and their care for every Wheatley student guiding everything they do

And our amazing community will be there to provide Wheatley with the support we need to continue to offer the best programs, experiences, and opportunities for all of our students.

Ms. Pace and I have had the privilege to be part of The Wheatley School and the East Williston School District for the last several years, and believe we are well positioned to make this a very smooth transition.  Furthermore, Dr. Sarandrea brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his own career in education, which will be a tremendous asset to our school community.  We have already been working with the district leadership team, as well as collaborating with clerical and custodial staff, to ensure we are ready for another great school year.

While we will be sending a welcome message later in the summer, we wanted to let you know that we are available if you have any questions or concerns - please do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Have a great summer - we look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you,

Mr. Jensen