Dr. Edward Karl Melnick

Dr. Edward Karl Melnick, the visionary former superintendent of the North Shore School District who devoted his career to implementing curricula and academic programs based on theories of learning and child and adolescent development, died on June 11 in New York City. He was 67

His husband, Dr. Barry Grayson, confirmed his death.

Dr. Melnick was born in New York City in 1955. His mother, Blossom, was an elementary school teacher, and his father, Emanuel, ran a clothing store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After graduating from Valley Stream South High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1977 from Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. He earned a master’s degree in Counseling, Creative Arts Therapy, from Hofstra University in 1982 and in 1988, a doctorate in education in Administration and Policy Studies from Hofstra University.

Dr Melnick began his educational career in the 1970s as Director of the Arts at Friends Academy in Locust, Valley NY. His 30-year career in the North Shore School District began in 1987 when he served as the Director of Fine and Performing Arts. In 1997, he became the principal of Glenwood elementary school, a position he held for five years. He was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Instruction in 2001 and in 2003, he was named the Superintendent of Schools.

During his 14 years as Superintendent of the North Shore School District, Dr. Melnick became known as a leader and educator who was ahead of his time, developing learning opportunities and extracurricular activities, so that all students had the opportunity to achieve academic success. The curricula and philosophy of the North Shore School District is guided by a system he championed called Shared Value Outcomes (SVO), where students learn life-long skills, such as problem solving and critical thinking, which they need to be successful in the twenty- first century. Dr. Melnick instituted a World Language program, introducing students to foreign languages in elementary schools, restructured the Fine and Performing Arts program, improved the Special Education and Life Skills program, and established an International Baccalaureate (IB) program in the high school.

Rebuilding the North Shore High School Theater and constructing a 100,000-square-foot sports complex are among the projects he stewarded. Dr. Melnick’s contributions to the school system went beyond academics to include practical measures and revenue sources. He championed and managed the construction of a bus transportation depot in Glenwood Landing that provides a fleet of dedicated buses for the district and operates as a revenue stream, inspecting and maintaining buses for other school districts.

He was legendary for his ability to recruit, train, and mentor faculty, administrators, and staff. With his extensive knowledge of curriculum and instruction, he was able to hire educators whose innovative ideas and professional skills assisted him in improving the North Shore School District, which became known as one of Long Island’s “high performing” districts. According to Dr. Melnick, “In all of the positions that I’ve been in, I’ve always believed in surrounding myself with people who are much more talented and capable than I am to do just that.”

A lifelong learner and accomplished musician, Dr. Melnick was passionately studying Spanish and Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A at the time of his death. In retirement, he became a master gardener and gourmet cook, although he was equally likely to enjoy simple supermarket roses and a sack of fast food. He mentored and provided professional development opportunities to school leaders in Puerto Rico. He loved to entertain family and friends at his homes in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Putnam Valley, New York; and New York City. His dog, Kimba, was his constant companion.

To Dr. Melnick, children are “our most precious natural resource.” He reflected, “There’s nothing like walking into a school building and talking to kids . . . the excitement of watching them engage and grow independently and together is an inspiration and motivation to help each student achieve academic excellence and personal success.”

Dr. Melnick’s cherished son, Noah, died in 2015. In addition to his beloved husband of 32 years, Dr. Melnick is survived by his sister, Jane (Eric Brondfield), his brother, David (Karen Hansen), and his brother-in-law, Allan (Eugenia); his niece, Katie (Daniel Sahlein), his nephews, Sam Brondfield, Max Brondfield (Rebecca), James Melnick (Kassie), Paul Grayson (Juanita), and Marc Grayson (Darvia); and his treasured great-nieces and nephews, Madeleine, Isabel, and Asher Sahlein, Dahlia Brondfield, Kit Melnick, and Alexander, Andreas, Elsa, and Yva Grayson.

The family suggests that those who wish to honor Dr. Melnick consider making a donation to one of the following organizations that he supported: the Edward and Noah Melnick Scholarship Fund; the Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQIA+ Youth in New York City; or the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York City. The Edward and Noah Melnick Scholarship Fund, two scholarships will be awarded annually, one to a graduating senior who intends to go into education and one to a graduating senior who intends to go into law. Checks can be made out to the scholarship fund and mailed to North Shore Schools, 112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY 11579, Attn: Haleh Bonvan, Treasurer