Maria Hecht, the Floral Park Memorial High School principal for the last five years, will become the new principal at Hempstead’s Sacred Heart Academy in October. 

She will replace Sister Jean Amore, who served as principal since 2018.

Floral Park-Bellerose Trustee Rose Peltonen made the announcement during the board’s Wednesday meeting on Sept. 14.

“Mrs. Hecht has been part of the Sewanhaka Central High School District for over 30 years and we thank her for her service and wish her success in her new role,” Peltonen said during her high school report. 

Peltonen said District Interim Superintendent Thomas Dolan explained the process to find Hecht’s replacement during a PTSA meeting earlier this week. 

After the district posts the position online next week, qualified candidates will meet with a committee comprised of school staff, students and community members, Peltonen said. The same process was used to fill vacant principal positions this summer at Elmont Memorial High School and H. Frank Carey High School. 

Hecht, a Port Washington resident,  was previously the assistant principal at New Hyde Park Memorial High School – where she first began her career as an English teacher over 30 years ago.

Peltonen said the district is hoping to name a replacement during Sewanhaka’s Nov. 21 board meeting with a projected start date of January next year. 

Dolan also recommended that Hecht’s replacement be on an interim basis until someone is permanently appointed as principal, Peltonen said. 

“Rest assured that Dr. Dolan will oversee all aspects of this process and is confident that our students and staff will have excellent leadership during this transitional phase,” Peltonen said.