New Superintendent Named In North Rockland

THIELLS, NY — The Board of Education of the North Rockland Central School District has announced the appointment of Dr. Kris Felicello as Superintendent of Schools, effective Aug. 1, 2020.

Dr. Felicello, now NRCSD’s Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, will succeed Superintendent Ileana Eckert, who recently announced plans to retire after 11 years as the head of the district.

"Dr. Felicello possesses the strategic vision, educational leadership skills and commitment to equity, access and opportunity that will continue to strengthen North Rockland’s reputation as a regional leader in public education," said North Rockland Board of Education President Robert Masiello. "Our schools are healthy, and Dr. Felicello has played a key role in the district’s transformation under the stewardship of Superintendent Eckert."

The school board decided to look at internal candidates before embarking on a superintendent search that would take months and cost thousands of dollars, Masiello said. "the Board agreed to look first at internal candidates with deep experience in curriculum, instruction, operations and school leadership. The choice was obvious."

Arriving in 2007, Dr. Felicello served as Principal of the (former) James A. Farley Middle School in Stony Point. He was named Principal of Fieldstone Middle School in Thiells in 2012, before advancing to Central Administration in 2013 as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Community Relations. Dr. Felicello assumed his current position of Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services in 2015, in which he provides direct oversight for all functions related to educational leadership, management and instruction in the district.

While at North Rockland, Dr. Felicello's pioneering research into 21st century learning and curriculum development has led to innovative reform in homework standards and bullying policies, yielding improved academic outcomes and healthier school environments, district officials said. He has authored several journal articles and co-wrote the Amazon best-selling book, “The Teacher & The Admin: Making Schools Better For Kids.”

Dr. Felicello began his educational career in 1995 as a teacher in the Onteora Central School District and, later, held several positions, including Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and Principal in the Chester Union Free School District. He served as head varsity boys basketball coach in both Onteora and Chester.

Dr. Felicello received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the State University of New York at Cortland; a Master's degree in Educational Administration from the State University of New York at New Paltz; and a Doctor of Science degree in Educational Leadership from St. John's University.

The announcement was made during the regularly scheduled Board Meeting Jan. 7 at
Fieldstone Middle School in Thiells.

"Kris is a true leader in education, and he understands our school community on a very personal level. He possesses the administrative skills, pedagogical knowledge and enthusiasm to continue moving our district in a positive direction and improving the educational outcomes for all of our students," Superintendent Ileana Eckert said. Eckert began her educational career in 1978. She joined the North Rockland Central School District as a teacher in 1984, rising through various administrative positions before her appointment to Superintendent of Schools in 2009.

Employment terms for Dr. Felicello include a five-year contract with a base salary of $210,000. Masiello said it is comparable to other superintendent salaries in the Lower Hudson Valley. The Board’s decision to approve a five-year contract for Dr. Felicello was unanimous.

"I am honored and humbled to serve as North Rockland's next Superintendent of Schools,
and am grateful to the Board of Education for its continued confidence in my leadership abilities," Felicello said. "I look forward to working together with the entire North Rockland school community - administrators, faculty, staff, students and families - to advance the strengths that define North Rockland as a model school district."