Following a year of significant strides and successes, the Brentwood Union Free School District has appointed Wanda Ortiz-Rivera as its permanent superintendent of schools. Since the fall, Ms. Ortiz-Rivera has served as the district’s interim superintendent and has overseen the growth of student programs, services and district initiatives. In tandem with this appointment, the district named Matthew Gengler as its permanent assistant superintendent of secondary education after successfully serving as interim in that role during the 2023-24 school year.
“I am deeply honored to serve our wonderful students and the Brentwood community, a vibrant and diverse community with roots from all parts of the world,” Ms. Ortiz-Rivera said. “I want our students to believe that anything is possible. I am grateful to the board of education for granting me the opportunity to lead this remarkable district. Together, we are building a legacy of student success.”
Through the leadership and guidance of Ms. Ortiz-Rivera and Mr. Gengler, Brentwood’s students have continued to strive for greater success in the classroom and beyond. Brentwood has adopted a new initiative for its middle school and high school students, titled Graduation Plus+, which will allow them to begin earning college credits. These opportunities can be parlayed into a successful career in a trade or to get a head start on higher education upon graduation. At the district level, the goals of Graduation Plus+ programs include identifying a student’s interest in different career pathways such as cosmetology or automotive mechanics. They also aim to drive greater participation and attendance figures in the classrooms to better prepare them for life beyond high school graduation.
In the prior school year, nearly 85% of students that received diplomas at Brentwood High School’s graduation earned at least one college credit that could be added to their transcripts at the colleges of their choice. Students also graduated from Brentwood’s Class of 2024 with OSHA 10 certificates, CNC manufacturing accolades and American Red Cross licenses including first aid and CPR/AED along with certifications for lifeguards and professional rescuers. Nearly 300 students in the Class of 2024 obtained the prestigious New York State Seal of Biliteracy and 112 students graduated from BOCES classes with certifications to help them advance their career forward immediately after high school.
Graduation Plus+ is one of several new initiatives that Brentwood will be introducing over the course of the 2024-25 school year, with more programs designed to help students begin the conversation of future employment and higher education achievements.
“Through our Graduation Plus+ initiative,” Ms. Ortiz-Rivera noted, “we are committed to providing every student with the opportunity to succeed whether they choose a path in higher education or pursue a rewarding career.”
“Ms. Ortiz-Rivera’s exemplary leadership and commitment to excellence is bar none and further supports our decision to appoint her as the superintendent of our schools,” said Brentwood Board of Education President Eileen Felix. “We are certain Superintendent Ortiz-Rivera will take Brentwood to new heights and continue to provide our students with new programs and opportunities and prepare them for a world beyond our school walls.”
Before her work as interim superintendent, Ms. Ortiz-Rivera was the assistant superintendent of secondary education and bilingual education at Brentwood. She possesses a nearly two decadeslong career in the community as an educator and an administrator. Mr. Gengler has been a member of the Brentwood educational community for 35 years, as both a teacher and subsequently principal of both West and North Middle School, where he helped to foster the growth needed to bring those schools into prominence.
“I am extremely grateful for this wonderful opportunity to continue to support our Brentwood School community,” Mr. Gengler stated. “I am excited about the incredible possibilities that lie ahead for our students who will be able to develop their own pathways for life beyond. I am also most appreciative to have cultivated many positive relationships with colleagues and look forward to serving this amazing school district to the best of my ability.”
“Mr. Gengler has a proven track record of excellence and has become invaluable to our team,” Ms. Felix added. “His enthusiasm furthered by his belief in our students’ success makes him an outstanding choice [for assistant superintendent]. The board of education is excited for what is to come.”
