COMMACK SCHOOLS

Dr. William Hender

Q. How long have you been a resident of the Commack area? 

A. I have been a proud resident of Commack for over 40 years. As I like to say, I was born and raised in Commack and graduated from Commack High School in 1997. My wife Kristi and I were able to purchase the house next door to my parents, so that my children could enjoy the same education that I was privileged to have experienced.

Q. Do you have, or have you ever had, any children attending the District public schools?

A. I have 3 children Liam, Landon, and Madison. Liam will be a 9th Grader at Commack High School, Landon will be a 7th Grader at Commack Middle School, and Madison will be a 3rd Grader at Sawmill this fall.

Q. What is your educational background and current occupation?

A. I graduated from Commack in 1997 and then earned my BA in Child Study from St. Joseph’s College in 2001. I began my teaching career in the Kings Park Central School District where I taught and coached within the district for 18 years. I then spent 5 years as a Principal in the Eastport-South Manor School District and South Huntington School District where for the past two years, I have held the role of Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education. I have earned a Master’s degree in Literacy from Long Island University CW Post, and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University as well as a Ed.D in Educational Administration from St. John’s University.

Q. Of what school-related and/or community organizations are you, or have you been, a member?
A. Throughout my years within Commack I have volunteered to be part of numerous organizations and committees. From coaching in our youth leagues to supporting district-wide events, I am someone who believes strongly in giving back to the community and is evidenced in my work as a Board of Education member for the past 9 years.

Q. Why do you want to be a member of the Board of Education and what talents (strengths) do you have that would contribute to the Board?
A. I believe that I have brought a very important and valuable set of skills to the board. As a teacher and administrator, I am in the “trenches of education” on a daily basis and I am well versed in the current trends and issues in the world of education as well as the inter-workings of a school district. Being on the Board of Education has taught me how important skills such as organization, time management, and the value of working as a team are to a successful board. I am someone who will continue to bring honesty and integrity to the position of Trustee.

Q. How many Board of Education meetings have you attended during the last three years?

A. As a Board of Education Trustee, I have attended every meeting within the past 3 years.

Q. What do you see as the role of a Board of Education member as part of our district governance team?

A. As a member of the Board of Education I see my role as someone who represents the community and is part of a team that should look to provide the best education possible for children. I think an important role is to listen and gather information from all people and stakeholders within the community. I also believe that as a member, it is my job to advocate for public education and ensure that this community receives proper funding from the state and federal government. I feel it is important for a board member to be well educated and current on all issues affecting the district. A board member should be visible and active within the community supporting our students and teachers at all levels.

Q. If you are reelected or elected to serve on the Commack Board of Education, what would be your three priority areas for board/administration study and potential improvement for the district?

A. My first priority is to continue the work that has been done to ensure success for all students. Research has shown that over 60% of the jobs that our students will be employed in within the next ten years have not yet been created. Therefore, I will make it a priority to ensure that our district continues to provide access and opportunity for all in a quickly changing world. Over the past few years, we have continued to place an emphasis on this idea and as a result have created new classes in areas such as Cisco computer repair and supporting our BOCES Occupational programs. The future will require more opportunity for individualized instruction and a focus on fostering a love for learning for each child while balancing a budget in these uncertain times. My second priority will be to further create an environment of collaboration. It has often been said that “it takes a village to raise a child” and I agree with this statement. As a successful coach and former athlete I have been involved in many teams and I understand the importance of teamwork. I believe we must continue to all work together from both a Board of Education and community standpoint. My third priority is to continue my work in ensuring that our District continues to be fiscally responsible in all decisions made. I feel that we must continue our lobbying efforts with local and state leaders to ensure that Commack receives its fair share of state aid. I am proud of the improvements and enhancements we have made throughout all of our facilities and I feel that our schools have become the "hub" for activity within the town of Commack.

Q. What is your definition of a “Comprehensive Commack Education?” Does Commack currently offer this kind of education, K-12?
A. I take great pride in the education I received over 30 years ago from Commack. In fact, I can often be heard saying that I attribute a great deal of my success as a teacher, coach, and entrepreneur to the town of Commack and the education I received. I believe a “Comprehensive Commack Education” is one which allows and prepares students to succeed throughout life. I believe it involves educating the whole child in all aspects of social, emotional, and academic development. I do not believe there is a “cookie-cutter” method to education. Each child should be educated utilizing their strengths and interests with less focus on weakness. I also believe that a comprehensive education provides a variety of choices academically as well as through sports, clubs and activities. I feel that Commack currently provides an outstanding balanced and comprehensive education for all, and I will continue to look to provide creative solutions to ensure future generations receive the type of education we have come to expect in the Commack Community.

John Murray

Bio: I am a lifelong Commack resident and proud product of the Commack School District, having moved to the community in 1967. I graduated from Commack schools, along with my two siblings. I later chose to raise my own family here, and am proud that my two children are equally successful products of the same district.

After earning a BS in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego in 1984 and a MS in Engineering Management from Stony Brook University in 1989, I built a 16-year career in engineering and manufacturing on Long Island. Beginning as a designer, I rose through the ranks to manage entire programs; overseeing budget development and tracking, facilities management, and end-item sales. These experiences instilled in me an appreciation for fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and the importance of delivering results on time and within budget.  All qualities that will prove helpful with decision making on a school board. 

In 2000, I transitioned my expertise into education, joining Commack Middle School as a Technology Teacher — a role I held for 25 years before retiring in 2025 as Lead Technology Teacher. Over the course of my career, I instructed, guided, and mentored nearly 8,000 Commack Middle School students, leaving what I hope is a lasting impact on the community.

My commitment to Commack extended well beyond the classroom. Throughout my teaching career, I volunteered on numerous committees and boards, including the PTA, SEPTA, Crisis Management Team, School Based Management Team, Teacher Center Policy Board, District Strategic Planning Commission, School Reopening Committee, APPR Committee, Board Policy Committee, and the Instructional Technology Committee, — consistently giving my time and expertise to strengthen the district.

I was an active member of the Commack Teachers Association, the Union of Commack’s Educators, where I was the Treasurer and President, elected in 2018 for three consecutive two-year terms.  As President, I was known as someone who knew how to work within the system to protect my members, while being a positive influence on the District and community.

I have been a consistent presence at School Board meetings, attending approximately 30 meetings over the past three years alone. This ongoing engagement has given me a clear and current understanding of the Board's priorities, policies, and decision-making processes — and combined with nearly 60 years as a Commack resident, I will bring a unique depth of institutional knowledge to the Commack School Board.

As a Board member, my first responsibility would be to ensure that the direction of the district fully addresses the needs and goals of every student, while maintaining sound fiscal responsibility. Equally important is staying attuned to balancing the evolving needs of both the district and the broader Commack community. Lastly, I see it as the Boards responsibility that the right management team is in place to get the job done.

After a career that has spanned the classroom, the committee room, and the boardroom, I am ready to bring that same dedication, experience, and community spirit to the Commack Board of Education — because, I know, when the system is healthy, students, staff, and the entire community succeed.

Q. How long have you been a resident of the Commack area?

A. I’ve been a resident of Commack for approximately 59 years.

Q. Do you have, or have you ever had, any children attending the District public schools?

A. Yes, my daughter Jacklyn attended Commack public schools until 2005, and my son Nicholas graduated in 2017.

Q. What is your educational background and current occupation?

A. I earned a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Stony Brook University in 1989, and a Bachelor of Science in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego in 1984. I retired in 2025 as the Lead Technology Teacher in the Commack School District.

Q. Of what school-related and/or community organizations are you, or have you been, a member?

A. PTA, SEPTA, Commack Middle School Crisis Management Team, CMS School Based Management Team, School Based Management Team Policy Board, Teacher Center Policy Board, District Strategic Planning Commission, School Reopening Committee, Professional Council, APPR Committee, Board Policy Committee, New Teacher Orientation, Instructional Technology Committee

Q. Why do you want to be a member of the Board of Education and what talents (strengths) do you have that would contribute to the Board?

A. I bring deep institutional knowledge of both the Commack community and the Commack School District — knowledge that will be instrumental in guiding the District into the future. Having attended Commack Schools, resettled here when it came time to purchase a home, and completed a career here, I have been an active part of this community for nearly 60 years. I have attended approximately 30 Board meetings over the past three years and have a clear understanding of the Board and its policies.

Over 25 years at Commack Middle School, I instructed, guided, and mentored nearly 8,000 students, giving me unique first-hand experience from both a direct instruction and school management perspective.

Prior to teaching, I spent 16 years in engineering and engineering management roles for three large Long Island manufacturers. I began as a designer of manufacturing sequences for aircraft assembly and ultimately managed entire programs — including budget development and tracking, facilities management, and end-item sales. Those roles taught me how to build a budget and work within its constraints, and the critical importance of on-time, at-cost delivery. These are invaluable skills for any school board, where the customers are the students and community, and success is not optional.

I am confident that a well-run, healthy system is one that satisfies the needs of students, staff, and community alike.

Q. How many Board of Education meetings have you attended during the last three years?

A. I have attended approximately 30 Board Meetings.

Q. What do you see as the role of a Board of Education member as part of our district governance team?

A. My first responsibility is to ensure that the direction of the district fully addresses the needs and goals of every student, while maintaining sound fiscal responsibility. Equally important is staying keenly attuned to the evolving needs of both the district and the broader community — striking the right balance between the two. And underpinning it all is the assurance that the right management team is in place to get the job done.

Q. If you are reelected or elected to serve on the Commack Board of Education, what would be your three priority areas for board/administration study and potential improvement for the district?

A. My first priority is ensuring good value across the board. Are students receiving the best possible education? Is the community getting the most out of its tax dollars? Do staff have the tools and support they need to succeed? In my experience, districts can sometimes lose sight of the fact that the most important work happens from the classroom walls in — and that focus must be reflected in how we build our budget.

My second priority is addressing the growing impact of mental health on both students and staff. This is one of the most significant challenges facing education today, and we must ensure our policies are comprehensive, current, and genuinely effective in supporting the well-being of everyone in our buildings.

Finally, I want to take a hard look at curriculum relevance. We must ask ourselves whether what we are teaching is truly meaningful and lasting, or whether we are being drawn into passing trends that offer little long-term educational value. Our students deserve a curriculum built on substance.

Q. What is your definition of a “Comprehensive Commack Education?” Does Commack currently offer this kind of education, K-12?

A. A Comprehensive Commack Education is one that is thorough and complete — covering everything a student needs to be successful in life. To achieve that, the educational system must be flexible enough to meet all students' needs, both in depth and scope, recognizing that no two students are alike.

I believe a Comprehensive Commack Education is always a work in progress. We must operate in a mode of continuous improvement, because the moment we believe we have fully arrived at the goal, we risk falling behind. The goalposts will always move — and our job is to be proactive, not reactive.

That said, I do believe Commack consistently strives to be a district that offers the very best for its students, and that commitment is something I would work hard to protect and build upon as a Board member.