Dr. Lou Naninni
    One of his earliest memories was when Lou was about 3 years old going with his father to get a job in a cigar factory. His mother had been a typical farmer’s wife from morning to night. Lou worked with his family for many years. His father went into construction and always worked hard in support of his family. Lou would like to have become a physician but when his father told him that he could not afford to put him through Medical School, he suggested he do the best he could with a four year degree. He was attending Columbia and majoring in History. He put himself through Graduate School and attained a Doctorate in History by the end of the 1930’s. This was (his words), not exactly the degree to help you find work at the beginning of a Great Depression.
   His first job after Columbia was at Half Hollow Hills as High School Principal. He next moved with his entire family to Schenectady for two years and then out to Longwood. Gordon Heights presented him with a unique challenge. He resolved it only to be confronted by yet another when Yaphank’s local history, presented its own kind of dilemma. Bedford Hills in Westchester offered an unexpected opportunity which he declined when an opening occurred in Brentwood presenting itself while still at Columbia. Leigh Stewart was instrumental in bringing Lou to Brentwood.
   He decided to make unreasonable demands to their offer, to satisfy a family push back and to avoid another move. Unexpectedly, all his demands were met requiring him to move the family anyway. The fact that Brentwood was a different kind of district had been an attraction for Dr. Naninni. Rapid growth and the sheer numbers and variety of students made it a challenge. The quality of teacher there was a big plus. Most disturbing was the existence of 14 elementary schools with only one library. He found that situation unacceptable. The number of “bosses”: in the form of GIS’s (General Instructional Supervisors) was a problem and he announced he would be changing it, which he did. He worked with Art Breiger to improve student performance to enhance programs of individualized instruction for Hispanic and Puerto Rican arrivals to Brentwood using available federal funds until the monies ran out. Dr Hoyt’s emphasis upon quality of education and curriculum innovation was another plus for Dr Naninni. His purpose was not to self promote but to do the best he could for the school district. He knew Brentwood was not Manhasset or Great Neck. He and James Lynch, Board of Education President, supported a bond issue to construct a new high school off Crooked Hill Road near Suffolk Community College to accommodate the increasing numbers of students. The bond issue was defeated because a Transportation bond issue had been put up to attract the highest bidder and when a Connecticut company won the bid many local residents who had previously been bus drivers lost their jobs and voted the measure down. A proposed high school on the grounds of Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital and extensive conversations surrounding it were recalled. We discussed the first NYSUT union contract with the District and the role Dave Martz and Guy DiPietro both played. A teacher strike was threatened while the Superintendent was attending a two day conference and a board member ignored his recommendation re/ choice of a snow day upsetting the settlement. As soon as he returned the issue was resolved and the problematic Board Member stepped aside.
    Dr. Lou Naninni will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and transitional figure bridging the missions of Eugene Hoyt and G. Guy DiPietro in the interest of generations of parents and children of the District. He was inspired when he arrived by the Brentwood he found and spoke in superlatives of its students and teachers at the time of his departure. 

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