Sean McAleavey was appointed on Oct. 20 as the district’s new director of school safety. He replaces Byron McCray, who left to take the same position in the Brentwood School District. McAleavey, a West Islip resident, brings extensive law enforcement and security experience to this position.

McAleavey began his career as a patrol officer in Prince George’s County in Maryland. He was then promoted to their special assignment team and subsequently to detective in the auto theft division. After a distinguished career, he retired from the police department in 2013. McAleavey then joined Department of Defense contractor Eagle Alliance in Annapolis, Maryland as a security compliance professional, obtaining top secret federal clearance.

A Long Island native, McAleavey left Eagle Alliance when he and his family decided to return to New York. For the past five years, he has served as an explosive detection canine handler for MSA Security, recently stationed at the United Nations, where he and his partner screen all packages that arrive at the facility. Since 2018, he has also worked as a school safety officer in the district.

“My 15 years of law enforcement and security experience has prepared me for this position,” McAleavey said. “I look forward to joining this administration in continuing to prioritize the safety of the students and staff within the West Islip School District.”