Superintendent Meierdiercks Reflects on Time in Sewanhaka District

has been a part of the district for almost 50 years and on June 30, he will be saying goodbye to what he considers his home. 

"I love it," Meierdiercks said of the district. "It’s my second home."

He went to the Elmont school district as a child and graduated from Sewanhaka in 1970. Meierdiercks student taught at the district while attending Hofstra University and has been employed by the district in various capacities for 37 years starting as a business education teacher. 

Meierdiercks knew that he wanted to be a teacher back in elementary school. 

"My goal very early in life was to be a teacher," he said, adding that he wanted to have an impact of the "youngsters."

For this reason, Meierdiercks intends to teach one last class in the district before he "graduates" this year. 

"When I left Sewanhaka, I missed the classroom," Meierdiercks explained. "I love working in the central office, but I still miss the classroom."

Meierdiercks has been doing adjunct teaching work at some colleges such as C.W. Post, the College of New Rochelle and Queensborough Community College. He anticipates doing more adjunct teaching in his retirement.

On his first day in retirement, Meierdiercks hopes to sleep in a little later than his usual 4 a.m.He typically begins his day being at the office at 7 a.m. 

"I'm an early morning person; I always have been," Meierdiercks said. "I like to get into the office early because this way you can do what you have to do before the phones ring and before you deal with certain situations that occur."

One of the biggest challenges Meierdiercks has faced in his five-year tenure at superintendent is having limited financial resources because of cuts in state aid. As a result of these financial pressures, some adult programs have been cut over the years as has summer school. 

"[These are] not things that we like to do, but things that we had to do," Meierdiercks said. 

But providing what he considers a quality education to the students in the district despite the financial constraints is one of the things Meierdiercks is most proud of. 

"It's my obligation is to continue to maintain and excellent academic program, an excellent educational program for our youngsters and I think we've been able to do that," he said.

will become superintendent on July 1. Offering advice to Ferrie, Meierdiercks said, "He's coming into a wonderful school district with wonderful people. He's got an outstanding group of educators that he'll be able to work with. He's got an outstanding, supportive community group. He's coming into an outstanding, excellent school district in Nassau County. Wish him nothing but best of luck."

In his final graduation, Meierdiercks will be speaking and perhaps reflecting on his time at the district.

"I'm proud of every moment of it," Meierdiercks said. "I'm proud of every student I was fortunate enough to teach and I'm proud to work with every staff member."