The Sachem Central School District is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Saidens as the new executive director for special education. Mr. Saidens accepts the position after most recently serving as the principal of Tamarac Elementary School for 10 years. 

The vacancy left by Mr. Saidens will be filled by an interim principal, Arlene Wild, who joins Sachem from the Smithtown Central School District where she served as a principal for 15 years. 

In addition to Mr. Saidens’ time as the principal of Tamarac Elementary School, he previously held the position of principal at the Early Childhood Center and Pre-School in East Islip for five years, was the assistant principal of Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School in the Harborfields Central School District for two years and was a teacher at Mills Pond Elementary School and Accompsett Elementary School in the Smithtown Central School District for six years. 

Mr. Saidens holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management from Clemson University, a master’s degree in special education from Dowling College and a professional diploma in school district administration from Stony Brook University. Adding to his expansive résumé in education, Mr. Saidens has New York State certification in school district administration, elementary education and special education.