The district has appointed Tom Sallee as the new principal of Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School, effective Aug. 17. He replaces Janet Jones, who is now the district’s director of STEM, MTSS and accountability.

Sallee comes to East Islip from Massachusetts, where he served as principal of Stoneham Central Middle School in Stoneham since 2022. He previously worked as an assistant principal at Lynnfield Middle School in Lynnfield, Massachusetts from 2016-2022; a world history teacher and curriculum leader at Wilson Middle School in Natick, Massachusetts (2005-2016); and a U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer (2000-2004).

An incoming Kings Park resident, Sallee earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Brandeis University, a master’s degree in teaching/secondary education from Northeastern University and his administrative license from Boston University. 

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the East Islip team as principal of RCK,” Sallee said. “I look forward to learning in detail about the strengths and traditions of the school and community, and helping to create a school where all of our students can thrive.”