Sousa Elementary gets an interim principal while the district searches

What happened

On August 6, 2026 the Board was asked to appoint Elizabeth Gerson as interim principal of John Philip Sousa Elementary School. The Superintendent said a long-term principal has not been picked and the search will not be rushed. Ms. Gerson was most recently an assistant superintendent in the Herricks district and spent nine years as principal of Searingtown Elementary.

Why it matters to families

The principal leads daily life at the school. Families should expect a temporary leader this year and a later change.

The evidence

Superintendent's report in the August 6, 2026 video transcript (auto-captions). In May 2026 he said the Sousa principal job was in the final hiring stage; the Board's calendar and later records here do not name a permanent principal.

The source