Lakeland School Board Picks Interim Superintendent

SHRUB OAK, NY — An interim superintendent was appointed by the Lakeland Central School District Board of Education Thursday to replace Brendan Lyons who led the schools for only 14 months.

The board's trustees selected Dr. Karen Gagliardi to be interim superintendent through the end of the 2021-22 school year.

According to a spokeswoman, it was a 7-1 vote.

Board President Adam Kaufman said the trustees have confidence that Gagliardi will "thrive in this leadership role and continue the standards of excellence that Lakeland Central School District is known for."

He also congratulated her for being the district's first female superintendent.

Gagliardi has worked in the district since 2003, serving as principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School for 15 years before becoming assistant superintendent for instruction in 2019.

She thanked the board for the appointment, saying, "Lakeland is my home. It's where I raised my children, by choice."

Gagliardi said she would do her best to proudly serve the district and "continue to work in partnership, true partnership, for all of the children of Lakeland."

Lyons's resignation was accepted by a 7-2 vote at a special meeting of the board Saturday.

He came to Lakeland 14 months ago from the Arlington Central School District in Dutchess County. His 2021-22 salary was reported to the state Education Department as $264,940.

Neither Lyons nor the district addressed issues of his contract or a possible settlement.

SEE ALSO:

• Lakeland's Superintendent Is Gone By A 7-2 Vote
• Anti-CRT Group Congratulates Lakeland On Superintendent's Ouster