The district has named Philip Paniccia as the new principal of May Moore Primary School, replacing Alicia Konecny, the incoming assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services.

Paniccia had served since 2016 as an associate principal at the district’s Robert Frost Middle School. He previously worked as a teacher for 10 years in the Sayville School District and as principal of Sayville Summer School, following a 15-year career in financial service.

A Setauket resident and graduate of Sachem High School, Paniccia earned his bachelor’s degree in child study, master’s degree in liberal studies and advance graduate degree in educational leadership from St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue and Stony Brook University.

“I couldn’t be more excited to become the new principal of May Moore and to continue serving the Deer Park community,” said Paniccia. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the entire school community to emphasize a safe, warm, whole child learning environment in which every student is recognized as a unique learner who can excel and succeed. While preserving May Moore’s tradition of excellence, we will continue to work with Deer Park’s youngest learners to build the 21st century and social-emotional skills needed to thrive as leaders and productive citizens of tomorrow.”