Dr. Anthony J. Pecorale

Dr. Anthony J. Pecorale is a highly recognized and widely acclaimed Superintendent of Schools in New York State. His breadth of knowledge spans over forty-five years of service in the Public School system. While currently acting as Interim Superintendent of Malverne Union Free School District, Dr. Pecorale’s experience in Public Education includes various teaching and administrative positions throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island, New York. He received his Doctoral Degree in Education from Fordham University (1972) and Master Degrees from Hofstra University (1961) and Florida State University (1966), majoring in Education and Math, respectively. He is also a graduate of SUNY Oswego where he received his Bachelors Degree (1956) by double majoring in Math and Science. Additional graduate level course work was completed at DePauw University in Science and Math, Northern Illinois University in Physics and Chemistry, Cornell University in Science, and Eastern Michigan University in Ecology, Conservation and Pollution.

Dr. Pecorale started his career in Education in 1956 by teaching sixth grade at Lowville Academy and Central School District and later in the West Islip School District. After a short tenure in the military serving as an Instructor in the Chemical Corp Division of the US Army, Dr. Pecorale returned to West Islip to continue teaching. Between 1960-1972, he filled several key roles in West Islip; first as the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator and then, as Acting Building Principal, where he initiated the first Summer School Program. He was the driving force behind building a Planetarium for the entire school district’s use in conjunction to their Science programs.

Dr. Pecorale also served as Assistant District Principal (1972-1974) and Acting District Principal (1974-1975) in Bayport-Bluepoint Public Schools. In less than two years, he successfully became Superintendent of Schools in Bayport-Blue Point where he worked from 1977-1982. In 1983, he changed school districts once again and moved to Lindenhurst where he was employed until 1993. After a few brief stints at retirement, Dr. Pecorale eventually accepted several Interim Superintendent positions across Long Island.

From 1975 to the present, Dr. Pecorale has been responsible for the construction of four elementary schools, one junior high school, and more than sixty million dollars in building modifications and reconstruction efforts within various school districts. He has a rare skill for writing grants and managing million dollar budgets while prioritizing all aspects of running a successful school district. In 1988 he was commissioned by then New York State Governor, Mario Cuomo, to create a new formula to calculate State Aid for Education to local school districts. For two years, Dr. Pecorale served on this Salerno Commission and presented his ideas through its completion in 1990.

Dr. Pecorale has held several important positions outside his regular responsibilities as Superintendent of Schools and has received many awards. He served as Finance Chairman for NYSPHSAA, Section XI in Suffolk County (1979-1988); Legislative Chairman for Suffolk County School Superintendent’s Association (1980-1988); House of Delegates for New York State School Superintendent’s Association (1984-1986); Educational Conference Board Member in New York State (1988-1989); President of Suffolk County School Superintendent’s Association (1987-1988); Member of Local Government Council for Subcommittee on Education (1989-1991); Executive Committee for SCOPE, Suffolk County Organization for the Promotion of Education (1989-1993); Phi Delta Kappa Administrator of the Year (1988); Council of Administrators and Supervisors Award for Leadership and Administrative Expertise in Education (2004).