Chappaqua School Board Picks Finalist for Superintendent Job

CHAPPAQUA, NY — The Chappaqua Board of Education has identified an educator with experience in Westchester as its finalist for superintendent of schools. BOE President Alyson Gardner announced that the trustees had narrowed their candidate list down to Dr. Christine Ackerman, who now heads the Greenwood Lake school district in Orange County.

If the final stages of the search process, including a planned site visit, proceed as anticipated, the trustees will appoint Dr. Ackerman at their next meeting.

“The Board of Education was impressed with the substantive experiences that Dr. Ackerman has had and with the way those experiences align with our longstanding District beliefs and goals," Gardner said in a written statement. "Her commitment to students, the breadth and depth of her understanding of curriculum and her strong management skills stood out to the entire Board. Throughout the process, the Board referenced the leadership profile that was developed by Hazard Young. That profile included input from all of the various constituencies that make up the District. We believe that Dr. Ackerman has the skills and experience that the profile outlined.”

Now the superintendent in Greenwood Lake, Dr. Ackerman began her career in education as a social studies teacher and Dean of Students at the High School for Law and Public Service in Washington Heights, NY. She served as a Dean of Students at John Jay High School in Katonah-Lewisboro and a Vice Principal/Director of Student Affairs for Valhalla Middle/High School in the Valhalla school district.

In March of 2009, Dr. Ackerman became the Principal of Millbrook High School and later went on to become the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Pupil Personnel Services in Millbrook. In July of 2014, she went to Greenwood Lake as the schools chief.

Dr. Ackerman has Bachelor Degrees in Teacher Education and Psychology from Stockton University. She has a M.Ed. in Educational Administration and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Penn State University. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Marist College for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Chappaqua board members noted her extensive experience in both elementary and secondary curricula. She has led instructional design efforts in all aspects of the K-12 curriculum. Her current school district, Greenwood Lake, recently supported a bond referendum to redesign various instructional spaces, including the District’s engineering lab.

“During her interviews, Dr. Ackerman impressed upon the board that she had been able to effectively balance her role as an instructional leader with the need to manage day-to-day operations in the various positions she has held," Board Vice President Victoria Tipp said. "Her understanding of the innovative work and professional development behind the new instructional spaces of our bond project made it clear that Dr. Ackerman has the relevant focus for our district. Her redesign of Greenwood Lake's Special Education program to an inclusive model is further evidence of an affinity of thought and values. Moreover, her past work with the Board of Regents demonstrates an ability and willingness to be a strong advocate for her district and for public education."

Dr. Ackerman would succeed Dr. Daniel McCann who has been serving as Interim Superintendent.

The trustees hope to make the appointment at their meeting May 3.

“Upon her appointment, the Board will schedule a time when district faculty and staff as well as community members can meet Dr. Ackerman," Gardner said. "It is also expected that Dr. Ackerman will visit the schools and meet with various staff in advance of her arrival in the summer.”