The Amityville Union Free School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Rakeem Callands as Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations.

Callands joins Amityville after serving as assistant superintendent for business and operations for the Greenburgh School District in Westchester County where he has overseen the district's business operations since 2022. His responsibilities have included budget development and financial planning, accounting, payroll, purchasing, contracts, facilities financing, insurance, auditing, investments and the supervision of business office operations. 

“Mr. Callands brings the experience, financial expertise, and forward-thinking leadership that will be invaluable as we continue moving the Amityville School District forward,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gina Talbert. “Every financial decision we make must ultimately connect back to our students and our responsibility to provide them with the programs, opportunities, facilities, and support they need to succeed. Mr. Callands understands that connection. His experience in strategic financial planning and school district operations will strengthen our leadership team as we continue making thoughtful, responsible investments in the future of Amityville.”

Callands brings extensive experience in public school finance to the position. Before joining Greenburgh, he served in several financial leadership roles with the City School District of New Rochelle, including school business administrator from 2021 to 2022 and senior finance manager from 2016 to 2021. Earlier in his career, he served as a senior finance consultant with MetLife.

Among his professional accomplishments, Callands has implemented multiyear financial planning designed to streamline budget development and strengthen districtwide program funding, led the integration of financial software systems to improve efficiency and reduce reporting errors, and identified cost-saving opportunities through strategic budget adjustments. He has also overseen capital project budgeting and financing to help optimize resources for facility improvements. 

“Joining the Amityville School District is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a community that is focused on growth and creating meaningful opportunities for students,” said Callands. “I look forward to working collaboratively with Dr. Talbert, the Board of Education, our administrators, staff and community to ensure that our resources are managed responsibly and strategically. Strong financial and operational systems create the foundation that allows our schools to focus on what matters most: providing every student with an outstanding educational experience.”

Callands' educational background includes a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University, a Master of Public Administration from Pace University, a Masters of Education Administration and completed a leadership program in school district business leadership from Pace University and a bachelor's degree in communication from the University at Albany. He also holds a New York State School District Business Leader advanced certificate. 

He is a member of the New York State Association of School Business Officials and the Westchester Alliance of Black School Educators and has served on the New Rochelle Youth Bureau Board of Commissioners. 

Callands' appointment comes as Amityville continues to strengthen its long-term planning and invest in programs, facilities and opportunities that support student success. His leadership will help ensure those priorities are supported by sound fiscal planning, efficient operations and responsible stewardship of community resources.