Spackenkill Chooses New Superintendent

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The Spackenkill school district will be welcoming back someone to take over as superintendent of schools. The Spackenkill board of education, at its Tuesday meeting, name Dr. Paul Fanuele as the next superintendent, replacing Dr. Mark Villanti, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Fanuele, who previously was Spackenkill High School's principal, will start in the top job July 1.

He is currently executive principal in the Arlington Central School District.

School officials said the search process involved about 50 applicants from diverse professional backgrounds.

Board President Tom Keith said the district was pleased with the outcome and that Fanuele was the best candidate to carry forward the vision of the district.

"His track record from the Arlington Central School District and his previous role as principal of Spackenkill High School, from 2006 to 2012, demonstrate his capability to lead this outstanding school system toward its goals and carry on the tradition of excellence for which Spackenkill is known," he said.

Fanuele said he was honored to be chosen for the position and the opportunity to return to the district.

"I value the strong sense of community that permeates the district and seek to build upon current initiatives and the efforts that I contributed to as a member of the Spackenkill team," he said.

Fanuele completed the doctoral program in educational leadership at Manhattanville College and holds a certificate of advanced study in educational administration and supervision from the State University of New York College at New Paltz. He also earned a master's degree in the art of teaching: social studies education from SUNY New Paltz and a bachelor of science in public administration from the University of Scranton.

Fanuele has served as president of the School Administrators Association of New York State and is on the board of directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

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