John McDaid Named Interim Old Mill Principal

John McDaid, a physical education teacher that’s taught in North Merrick Schools for 15 years, was voted as the Interim Principal at Old Mill Road School as Laura DeLuca heads out on maternity leave.

McDaid will serve as the principal at Old Mill for the remainder of the school year, and then on July 1, he will become principal at Fayette Elementary School with current Fayette Principal Howard Merims heading over to Old Mill Road.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” McDaid said. “It’s something that I’ve waited for. I got my degree as an admin, and this is something that I’ve wanted as a long-term goal.”

At last week’s North Merrick Board of Education meeting, community members spoke highly of McDaid, with some saying the kids will be mad that they’re losing their gym teacher. McDaid said he will miss working with kids on being active, but he said this is a big step for his professional career.

““When you hear those things, it makes you realize that you’re doing a good job,” McDaid said. “It’s nice to know you have people in your corner supporting you.”

The Rockville Centre resident has not only been a physical education teacher for all three schools, but he’s also been the adaptive physical education teacher, and he’s done health with the sixth graders. He also was a part of the growth and development talks with parents, and he participated in the kindergarten orientation.

“I’m happy I’m becoming an administrator in this district and not going to another district because I’ve gone through so much here,” he said. “This district has been great to me and I want to give back.”

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