Greater Patchogue coverage is funded in part by New Village at Patchogue, open-concept rental residences with sleek contemporary design. Click here for a tour.
Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent Donna Jones announced her retirement Tuesday, ending a 31-year career in public education and a six-year stint leading one of Suffolk County’s largest school districts.
Jones will step down on June 30, according to a letter she sent to district families on Tuesday. The announcement comes with a year remaining on her current contract.
“While I still have another year on my contract, I believe now is an opportune time to step down, explore new opportunities and spend more time with my family and friends,” Jones wrote.
During her tenure as superintendent, which began in 2019, Jones oversaw significant improvements in the district’s academic standing.
When she assumed leadership, eight of the district’s eleven schools were designated as Schools in Need of Improvement. Today, only one school maintains that designation.
The superintendent also led the district through several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining programs despite state aid fluctuations. Under her leadership, the district secured voter approval for a major bond referendum for facilities improvements.
Navigating challenges
Jones also has navigated the district through recent social media challenges, with the Board of Education voting on Jan. 30 to deactivate the district’s X (formerly Twitter) account following a stream of hostile comments directed at her and district staff. The board cited platform changes that prevented the removal of disruptive content as violating district policy.
In December 2022, Jones faced significant community backlash after 19 bullets were discovered in a foil packet at one of the high school’s vestibule entrances. Parents criticized the administration’s handling of the incident, particularly the timing of the notification to the school community, with some calling for her removal through a petition.
“As we fought through a pandemic, wild fires, bomb threats, unfunded mandates, culture wars and fiscal cliffs, I can proudly proclaim that we as a district and I as a superintendent never took my eyes off of the care and concern for our children,” Jones wrote in her letter to the district community.
Jones joined Patchogue-Medford in 2010 and served in various administrative roles before being appointed nine years later as superintendent of the district, which serves 7,500 students across 11 schools.
Patchogue-Medford school board President Marc Negrin has not yet replied to a request for comment from Greater Long Island.
Jones also offered guidance for the district’s future leadership.
“To the Board, staff and community, we are living through very challenging times that have seemed too often as though society at large has lost their moral compass, along with civility, respect and care for humanity,” Jones said.
“If I may offer one humble suggestion as I pass this prestigious mantle, it would be that you continue to move this district forward by pledging your commitment to caring deeply for our students, believing that all students can learn regardless of race, socio-economic status or developmental disabilities and that you imbue passion and purpose when times are difficult to remind us of why we do this challenging work every single day.”
Jones added that she plans to focus her remaining months on preparing the 2025-26 school budget and ensuring a seamless transition for her successor.
“The Patchogue-Medford School District has been my professional home for the past 15 years,” Jones wrote. “This district has given me experiences and opportunities that I will forever cherish.”
Top photo: Patchogue-Medford Superintendent Donna Jones has announced her retirement and submitted her resignation to the board of education (Facebook).
