Pelham staff, parents and residents are invited to attend a forum in which two finalists for the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel position in the Pelham Schools will answer questions compiled from PTA Council members. The forum will take place on Thursday, April 28, starting at 7 p.m. in Cafeteria C of the high school. Staff and community input will be solicited through an evaluation form provided at the end of each speaker.
The two candidates are Matthew T. Evans and Peter Giarrizzo. Both currently have tenure in this position, Mr. Evans as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Fallsburg Central School District since 2006 and Mr. Giarrizzo as Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services in Elmsford since 2007.
Both are also doctoral candidates, Mr. Evans in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy at Fordham University. He received a certificate in School Administration from SUNY New Paltz; a Masters in teaching social studies from Teachers College, Columbia University; and a BA in history from Hofstra University. Mr. Giarrizzo is a doctoral candidate at Rutgers University; received his certificate in Advanced Study in Education Administration from Hofstra University, his Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Long Island University and his Bachelor of Science in Special from SUNY Geneseo.
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Mr. Evans began his career teaching social studies at the Heliopolis American International School in Cairo where he was also master of discipline in 1998. He taught social studies at the Eldred Central School District and later at the Fallsburg Central School District where he has worked since 2001. He served as principal of the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School from 2004 to 2006 before assuming his current position.
Mr. Giarrizzo began his career as a special education teacher in 1994 at the Memorial Junior High School in the Valley Stream Central High School District and in 2000 became the Department Head. He also taught English at the MS and HS levels for several years. In 2001 he was appointed Chairperson of Special Education in Cold Spring Harbor Jr/Sr High School and later the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services in the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District. In 2004 he was named Director of Special Education and Instructional Services of the Mount Pleasant Central School District, a position he held until he assumed his current position in Elmsford.
One hundred and twenty eight applicants applied for this position. Fifteen were chosen for the preliminary interview with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lauro, 13 were interviewed as two dropped out because they took other positions. Five applicants moved to Phase 2 and four met with the Board of Education Personnel Committee. Mr. Evans and Mr. Giarrizzo were recommended by the Board Committee to move onto the next phase and met with administrators, teachers and central office staff. Following the forum, the Board of Education will make a final selection. It is expected that the new candidate will assume responsibilities effective July 1, 2011.