Port Jefferson School District’s 6–12 Associate Principal Welcomes New Role
Adam Sherrard is stepping into a new role as he enters his ninth year as an administrator in the Port Jefferson School District. Previously serving as the District’s Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Nursing, Mr. Sherrard was recently named the 6–12 Associate Principal. In this position, Mr. Sherrard will work alongside 6–12 Principal John Ruggero to lead the connected buildings Port Jefferson Middle School and Earl L. Vandermeulen High School.
“As we enter the new school year, I am focused on maintaining high expectations for our students and staff, cultivating positive lines of communication and being visible,” said Mr. Sherrard. “I look forward to receiving and incorporating input from our students and want to facilitate them advocating for themselves and serving as important decision-makers. I would also like to ensure we recognize the remarkable achievements and actions of our students and staff.”
Mr. Sherrard joined the Port Jefferson School District in 2018 as Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Nursing. During the 2025–2026 school year, he took on some assistant principal responsibilities at the High School in addition to his existing role. He coordinated with substitute teachers and teaching assistants, managed student attendance and discipline and helped improve student timeliness.
“This was a great experience that allowed me to speak with students in a different capacity than I previously had and enabled me to see administrative responsibilities from the building perspective,” said Mr. Sherrard. “We worked diligently this past year to improve student punctuality, achieving success as we were receptive to feedback from families and adjusted our approach.”
For the 2026–2027 school year, the Port Jefferson School District has strategically realigned its 6–12 and administrative structure to improve operational efficiencies, strengthen instructional programming, enhance educational and extracurricular experiences for students and families, maintain a commitment to fiscal responsibility and increase opportunities for staff collaboration. The Middle School and High School previously shared a building, systems and staff. The 6–12 level with now be led by John Ruggero in the role of Principal and Adam Sherrard in the role of Associate Principal. Veteran educator and administrator Mark Passamonte will step into Mr. Sherrard’s previous position and serve as Interim Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Nursing.
“When this opportunity arose, I was excited to dive in and support our students throughout the entire school day,” said Mr. Sherrard. “Through this structure, we will meet students as they enter sixth grade and truly get to know them and their families over the course of the next seven years. This will help us build meaningful relationships, learn about their educational and extracurricular interests and best support their success.”
A Port Jefferson resident of three years and the father of three District students, Mr. Sherrard received the prestigious Physical Education Director of the Year Award for the Suffolk County Chapter of the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 2025. He possesses 20 years of robust educational experience, serving as a physical education teacher and coach in several districts, beginning in 2007. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland in 2006, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Touro University International in 2010, and a graduate certificate in educational leadership from Stony Brook University in 2013.