North Bellmore School District

A pair of new administrators in the North Bellmore School District are back in familiar surroundings. Amy Joyce is the new assistant superintendent for business and Dr. Lydia Williams is serving as the director of human resources.

Four years ago, Ms. Joyce, a certified public accountant, completed her School District Business Leader educational program internship in North Bellmore. She decided to make a career transition from working in a public accounting practice to a school business office. Her career as a CPA began in 1991, specializing in auditing and taxation, and she later became a tax partner in an accounting firm. In January 2022, she joined the Valley Stream Central High School District as an assistant business official, and most recently worked in the Sewanhaka Central High School District as assistant business administrator with a focus on operations.

Ms. Joyce holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from LIU Post, a law degree from St. John’s University and her School District Business Leader certification from LIU Post. She is a member of the Nassau and New York State chapters of the Association of School Business Officials.

In North Bellmore, she will lead the business office which includes accounting, benefits, payroll and purchasing, oversee the facilities, food service and transportation departments, and play an instrumental role in the development of the annual budget. She looks forward to working with central and building administrators to help carry out the district’s mission and vision in a fiscally responsible way.

“I have a desire to succeed here in North Bellmore, but I’m not succeeding for myself, I’m succeeding for the children and the community that they live in,” she said. “I like working in a field that’s bigger than me. I’m making more of a difference here.”

Dr. Williams returns to North Bellmore, where she spent two years as the MTSS coordinator, overseeing the district’s multi-tiered system of supports framework. Most recently, she was the director of curriculum and instruction in Wyandanch. A 20-year veteran of public education, she got her start as a fifth grade teacher in Brooklyn through a New York City teaching fellowship. After eight years there, she moved to Hempstead Schools as the primary years coordinator for the International Baccalaureate program.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from St. John’s University, a master’s degree in childhood education from Queens College and her doctorate in teaching and learning as well as her administrative certification from Hofstra University.

As the director of human resources, her responsibilities will include staff recruitment and retention, evaluations and new teacher support. Her goal is to contribute to the overall culture and climate of the district to ensure all stakeholders have a positive experience.

“This is a really impactful role because I’m on the front lines helping select those teachers who are going to be in front of our kids,” she said. “The human capital is our most valuable resource in the district. There are really amazing people who work here in every department, and all working toward the same goal, which is the success of the students.”