Reynolds Expected To Be Named New Rochelle Schools Superintendent

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle Board of Education is expected to approve a three-year contract with Dr. Corey W. Reynolds to become the next Superintendent of the City School District of New Rochelle, officials announced in a just released statement.

The public portion of the meeting is expected to start at 7 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary School. The meeting is open to the public and will be viewable via Zoom.

Reynolds is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources/Chief Human Resources Officer for the district. He joined the school district in August 2021.

Reynolds will succeed Jonathan P. Raymond, who is leaving at the end of the current school year to spend more time with his family.

"In addition to his outstanding educational credentials, Dr. Reynolds will bring stability and continuity as he continues the strong progress made under the leadership of Superintendent Jonathan Raymond," Board President William Iannuzzi said of the appointment. “Dr. Reynolds has a deep understanding of our school district. That, blended with his experience as a teacher, principal, and administrator at several Westchester County school districts, will inspire dynamic new initiatives that will further advance achievement for the whole child."

Reynolds said he expects to continue many of the initiatives set in motion by his predecessor and current boss.

“I am excited by this opportunity to lead the City School District of New Rochelle and appreciate the trust placed in me by the Board of Education,” Reynolds said. “I look forward to continuing the substantial innovations implemented by Mr. Raymond, as well as partnering with our dedicated faculty, staff, students and community on new strategies that advance academic, social and emotional learning. All are vital for career and life readiness. It is important that we, as individuals, have high self-expectations for excellence everyday – in every interaction – for the success of our children.”

Reynolds is a familiar face in Westchester academic circles. He started as an elementary school teacher in Mount Vernon and Greenburgh Central School District schools. Before joining the City School District of New Rochelle, he served as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel in Greenburgh. He also has held the position of Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the White Plains School District and was the Assistant Superintendent for Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary Administration in Yonkers Public Schools. Reynolds spent a decade as Assistant Principal and Principal in the Ossining Union Free School District.

"Dr. Reynolds was one of my first hires when I came to New Rochelle," Raymond said, praising his successor. "I have come to rely upon him for his knowledge, experience, judgment, commitment to New Rochelle, and his love for children. He is going to be an exceptional superintendent.”

Reynolds received his bachelor’s degree in English from Seton Hall University and his master’s degree in Elementary Education from Fordham University. He received his second master’s degree from the College of New Rochelle, specializing in School Administration and Supervision, and later returned to Seton Hall for his doctoral degree in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy.

The members of the search committee said that community engagement was an important component of the Board of Education’s selection process.

A Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), comprised of more than 100 school district stakeholders from the community, had input in the decision after hearing presentations from the superintendent finalists.

Reynolds has a long track record of engaging with the community. He has served on the Leadership Advisory Committee for the Putnam/Northern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services Center for Educational Leadership, and the City of White Plains My Brother’s Keeper Initiative Advisory Board. He also has served as president of the Beta Alpha Alpha Scholarship Foundation, which has donated over $250,000 in scholarships to Black and Latino Westchester County students.

"The New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees (FUSE) is pleased that the Board of Education has selected Dr. Corey Reynolds as our next superintendent," Union President Mary Claire Breslin said in statement. "Dr. Reynolds has been in New Rochelle long enough to witness, recognize, and value the good work that goes on in our schools every day. The FUSE is confident that Dr. Reynolds will continue to cultivate the shared vision of cooperation and partnership that we continue to forge for the betterment of students, staff, and the larger school community."

Reynolds will continue his HR responsibilities through the end of the school year, and start working with Raymond to ease the transfer. Reynolds will also begin to meet with stakeholders, faculty and community leaders, according to the board.

When Reynolds becomes Superintendent on July 1, his salary will be $290,000.