Levittown School District Rounds Out Administrative Staff for 2011-12 Year

Levittown School District Superintendent Dr. James Grossane announced the appointment of two people to administrative positions in the district at a Levittown School Board meeting on Wednesday.

Frank Mortillaro was announced as interim principal for Northside Elementary School for the 2011-12 school year by the superintendent at the meeting, while Tracy von Eschen was announced as the district's new Assistant Director of Special Education at the same meeting.

Mortillaro moves into his interim role after being the Dean of Students at Wisdom Lane Middle School. He is filling in for Keith Squillacioti, who is serving as the school’s director of special education.

“We know that he will be able to bring his skills working with parents and students and teachers to Northside,” said Dr. Grossane. “We’re looking forward to his filling in for Mr. Squillacioti this year.”

Mortillaro’s stay as principal is listed as interim because Squillacioti may decide to return to the post after the school year. Dr. Grossane said that the position will be re-opened to interviews if Squillacioti decides to stay on as the director of special education.

Squillacioti will have help in the special education department from von Eschen, who comes to the Levittown school district from the Massapequa school district. Dr. Grossane worked in Massapequa before being hired as Levittown's superintendent, and he praised von Eschen's past experience, which includes time as chairperson of committees of preschool special education and special education.

"I had the great pleasure of working with Tracy for the past few years,” said the superintendent. "She has tremendous experience as a supervisor for special education on the elementary and secondary levels. She was a [Committee of Preschool Special Education] chairperson, she was an incredibly adept [Committee of Special Education] chair, and she has extensive knowledge of the law. We know that she and Mr. Squillacioti will work very well [together].

Dr. Grossane added that the two hirings, combined with the hiring of Mark Flower as Assistant Superintendent of Business at a special school board meeting last month, completes the assembly of his adminstrative team for the school year.