Chappaqua Names Interim Assistant Superintendent

CHAPPAQUA, NY — Chappaqua school officials have named Rosemary Matthews as Interim Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services. She'll start May 26. Matthews has experience in Westchester public schools not only as an educator but also as a school board member.

District officials will resume the search process for a permanent appointment in fall 2020, when classes resume.

“Rosemary is an accomplished educator and leader and we look forward to welcoming her to CCSD,” said Superintendent Dr. Christine Ackerman. “She has been described as a true collaborator with extensive experience in managing the pupil personnel department in a public school system. We are thrilled to welcome Rosemary as a member of our leadership team.”

Most recently, Matthews was an education consultant at the Blind Brook Public Schools where she conducted a review of pupil personnel practices. She also worked closely with the district leadership team to make reallocations in the budget development process in an effort to prioritize different resources to support the work of the special education department.

In Blind Brook, she also spent time on the Board of Education, elected as a trustee and serving as president and vice president.

Matthews began her career as a special education teacher in the Port Chester Public Schools and spent 26 years in that role. She then joined the Pelham Public School District as the Director of Special Education and later as the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services. As Director of Special Education, Matthews developed programs to expand district capacity to serve students and provided staff development to ensure best practices in diagnostic and prescriptive teaching. She also served as district Chairperson of the Committee on Special Education.

Matthews has extensive experience interpreting, implementing, and monitoring all federal and state laws and regulations as they pertain to the identification, referral, evaluation, and placement of students with disabilities and Section 504 accommodation plans.

“I am excited to work with the exceptional educators at Chappaqua Central School District,” said Matthews. “I look forward to joining the district at this important time in education.”

Matthews received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She also holds a Master of Science in Education from The College of New Rochelle and an Advanced Certificate in School and District Administration from Pace University.