Croton-Harmon Names New Schools Superintendent

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — The Croton-Harmon Board of Education has chosen a superintendent to replace Deborah O'Connell, who will retire Jan. 3.

Stephen Walker, who now runs the Sullivan West Central School District a bit further upstate, was appointed Thursday. He will start Jan. 4.

“Throughout his career, Mr. Walker has championed a student-centered approach, ensuring equity in education for all learners and essential professional development for faculty and staff,” said CHUFSD Board of Education president Sarah Carrier. “Throughout the interview process, board members were continually impressed by his experience, measurable successes, and positive energy.”

Walker has headed Sullivan West, a district of 1,100 students, since 2018.

Among the accomplishments cited by the school board in its announcement:

• Conceptualized and oversaw advancements in technology and social-emotional learning, including the creation of an Instructional Technology Facilitator position in each school and the incorporation of a specialized middle school program within the district’s secondary school.
• Led the implementation of the RULER social/emotional learning approach throughout the district and also introduced the Foreign Language in Elementary School (FLES) program.
• Helped develop several innovative high school classes, including Cybersecurity, Drone Production, Social Justice, and the Advanced Placement Seminar.

Prior to his position at Sullivan West, Walker served as Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources at the Suffern Central School District in Rockland County. He has also held the position of Director of Pupil Personnel Services in Suffern as well as the Marlboro Central School District, where he began his career as a special education teacher and then principal.

Walker is an Executive Board Member of the Mid-Hudson Catskills Council of School Superintendents and holds a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Educational Administration from the State University of New Paltz, and he is currently pursuing his doctorate in teaching, learning and educational leadership.

"I am incredibly honored to have been selected as the next Superintendent of the
Croton-Harmon schools," Walker said. "The district is renowned for its high achievement, forward-thinking culture and focus on educating the whole child, and I am excited to get to know and work with the faculty and staff, students and the broader community."