New Tarrytowns District School Leaders Gear up for September

The start of a new school year is fast-approaching (September 9) and along with many new children's faces there are new faces in major positions across the district.

Monday night’s special Board of Education meeting was the first presided over by our new district superintendent Dr. Christopher Clouet, and it was a fast one at that.

Much of the meeting was held behind closed doors before the public component for which there was no public present – a quick approval of the appointment of a new Assistant Principal to Sleepy Hollow Middle School, Joseph Engelhardt, a former math and science teacher who most recently worked at New York’s School for Global Leaders. 

He was vetted by a large committee of staff, administrators and parents, noted returning Board President Mimi Godwin. “Appointments are taken very seriously,” she said. “We are happy to have him on board.”

Engelhardt has begun a three-year probationary period as of July 1 and will earn $119,445.

John Paulding's new principal, Maureen Barnett, has already made her presence known at several parent meetings and at the recent summer camp singing performance.

At the board’s last meeting in July, they swore in a few new trustees – Carol Banino and Jennifer Liddy Green – joining a roomful of veterans.

Nominated for another one-year presidency was Godwin following B. Joseph Lillis' term. She's joined by Vice President Vincent Nadile, who was not present for this group photo.

Also on hand by Clouet’s side on Monday was new Assistant Superintendent Dr. Colleen Carroll, who grew up in Mamaroneck and says she’s thrilled to return to her home county from upstate New York.

Both have an introductory interview that went out to the community in the recent district newsletter and lives now on the top of TUFSD.org website.

Superintendent Clouet:

“My plans include getting to know the people in the community and immersing myself in the traditions of Tarrytown,” said Dr. Clouet. What has he learned so far? That Tarrytown “is a very proud and warm community. There is a high degree of investment and community pride in the schools and in Tarrytown’s children.”

There will be challenges, no doubt. Dr. Clouet said he hopes to improve the assessment scores of Tarrytown’s English Language Learners, develop more rigorous learning opportunities for all students, and help teachers as they continue their work on the Common Core curriculum. But he does not intend to “bring a book of recipes to Tarrytown.”

In fact, he said, he feels strongly that educators need to renew their dedication to “nurturing the joy in education, the joy in growing up, and not lose that in the face of increasing testing requirements.”

Assistant Superintendent Carroll:

In Tarrytown, she plans to spend her first months on the job in listening mode. “I’m going to be a very good listener and plan to get to know the people in our schools first.”

Dr. Carroll, who speaks Spanish, says she was impressed by Tarrytown’s commitment to all of its students, regardless of race or language. “I just love the way Tarrytown has embraced its diversity, how it handled the influx of different languages and cultures in the community right away. The District has taken away any barriers that might have existed, so that all students can receive a quality education.”

When she toured the District’s schools in May, “you could just feel the love in those classrooms. It speaks volumes about the positive atmosphere in the District.”

She is also excited to have the opportunity to work with incoming Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Clouet, who is fluent in three languages. “I think we’ll do very well together.”

For the full interviews with both, click here.

What are your biggest concerns you think the new administration should address as we enter a new school year? Weigh in here.