New Principals To Lead Hauppauge Elementary Schools

Three new principals are busy preparing for their first day leading Hauppauge's elementary schools on Wednesday.

Over the summer, Hauppauge Public School officials embarked on a for its elementary schools. The district received more than 175 applications, Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss said.

Jane Ruthkowski will greet students as the new principal of . She takes over for Matt Giordano, the former principal of Bretton Woods for 15 years, who retired at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

Ruthkowski has worked for more than 15 years in elementary education. She started out as a second-grade teacher in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District before stepping up as an assistant principal in Plainview-Old Bethpage. She most recently served as principal at the Briarcliff Elementary School in the Shoreham-Wading River School District.

"It is my hope to sustain and build upon the wonderful work presently happening at Bretton Woods, so that our children become lifelong learners who grow into responsible citizens," Ruthkowski said in a statement on the district's website.

She has been hired at the annual salary of $140,485.

Pines Elementary School will come under the leadership of Claudine DiMuzio, replacing Michele Rothfeld who was promoted to assistant superintendent of personnel and administration. She will be paid $137,798 per year.

DiMuzio previously worked as an elementary school principal in the Middle Country School and has 20 years experience in elementary education. She received her master's degree from Stony Brook University and is currently pursuing her doctorate from Fordham University.

"I look forward to working with the staff, students and families to continue the tradition of excellence, along with their commitment to helping all student achievement," DiMuzio said in a statement.

In addition, Kristen Reingold will step up to serve as its principal for the 2011-2012 school year. Reingold takes over for Christopher Michael, who has been promoted to the Director of ELA.

Reingold has worked in the Hauppauge School District since 2001, serving as assistant principal at Pines, Forest Brook and Hauppauge Middle School. Her salary as principal will be $137,798.