Dr. Cannone joins the Carle Place School District from Garden City Public Schools, where he served as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for eight years. During his time in Garden City, Dr. Cannone helped to establish and grow the district’s four-year, college-level Project Lead the Way engineering program, as well as lead the adoption of new learning resources in literacy, mathematics and the arts. Additionally, in his role as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Dr. Cannone led data analysis and strategic planning for all students, including those with IEPs and English language learners. Prior to his time in Garden City, Dr. Cannone held numerous positions in the education field, beginning his career at Newtown High School in Elmhurst, New York, where he served as a teacher and then assistant principal. He also has served as a teacher in Herricks and an administrator in both the Half Hollow Hills and Locust Valley School Districts.

Leigh Shaw is an experienced educator and leader with a background in gifted and talented education, curriculum design, and instructional innovation. She served as Principal of Hampton Street School in Mineola and previously as a PK–12 Instructional Leader, supporting teachers and students across all grade levels. Earlier in her career, she taught elementary grades at PS 334, The Anderson School, a K-8 school. A wife and mother, she is a strong advocate for neurodiversity-affirming practices and cares deeply about ensuring every student (and their families) feels a true sense of belonging in the classroom and school community. She believes schools should be places where teachers want to work and grow, and she is passionate about building systems that support educators, foster collaboration, and elevate student success.

Joanna DeMartino joined the Carle Place team in 2020 as the district treasurer and has obtained her New York State school district business leader certification through The College of Saint Rose. She has a Master of Science in accounting and financial management and is a certified public accountant. She gained several years of experience in school district operations and finance while working as an auditor for an accounting firm specializing in school district audits. Ms. DeMartino recognizes the unique role she plays in the district, as she touches each stakeholder in the district in some way in her role as school business official. Her ethical and transparent approach to budget development and financial management has helped the district to earn high ratings from our internal and external auditors. Our school district is the hub of the community, and Ms. DeMartino knows how to make sure that our financial plan for the district gives students everything that they need.

Dr. Philip Molnar was appointed as the district’s assistant superintendent for special education and pupil personnel services in 2015. He previously served as a tenured director of special education in the Plainedge School District, as well as the assistant director of special education in the Hauppauge School District. Prior to his work as an administrator, Dr. Molnar was a special education teacher in the Smithtown School District. He received his associate’s degree in early childhood from Suffolk Community College, bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from St. Joseph’s College, master’s degree in reading from Long Island University and a second master’s degree in school administration from Stony Brook University. Dr. Molnar earned his Doctor of Education degree in 2019 from St. John’s University. His dissertation research focused on how students were impacted by a technology-based reading intervention program. When Dr. Molnar is not at work, he spends a great deal of time watching his kids play sports. He enjoys kayaking, fishing and attending classic car shows.

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