Two Southampton School District Staffers Appointed To Permanent Posts

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — It's an exciting time in the Southampton School District as two familiar faces have been appointed to new, permanent positions.

According to the district, after serving for eight months in an interim capacity, Julio Delgado has been appointed by the Southampton School District Board of Education as the permanent assistant superintendent for instruction, effective immediately.

In his new role, Delgado’s prime focus will be "to improve achievement for all students, increase participation of the underrepresented population in all academic areas, and create programs, policies and procedures to close the achievement gap."

Prior to taking on his current role, Delgado was the district’s coordinator of student achievement. Before coming to Southampton, he served as an administrator in a number of school districts across New York, most recently as director of student services in the Greenburgh Central School District. He began his career in education as a school psychologist in the City School District of New Rochelle. He is also an adjunct professor at LIU Riverhead, the release said.

“Mr. Delgado’s educational knowledge and experience, as well as his familiarity with the Southampton community, will be a great benefit to our district, our community, our students and our staff,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas J. Dyno.

Delgado holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. John’s University and both a master’s degree and a school administration and supervision certificate from Queens College. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the New York State Association of Management Advocates for School Labor Affairs; the American Association of School Administrators, the School Superintendents Association; and the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, a release from the district said.

“I am convinced and confident in the belief that when we work collaboratively, transparently and with children in mind, there is no success that is beyond our reach,” Delgado said. “I look forward to working collaboratively to attain success for the students, teachers and administrators in Southampton.”

In other news, the Southampton UFSD Board of Education also announced the appointment of Jaime Bottcher as principal of Southampton Elementary School, effective July 1, 2017.

Bottcher has been serving as interim assistant principal at the elementary school since November. Prior to joining Southampton, she was an elementary English as a New Language teacher for 14 years and chair of the school improvement team in the Brentwood School District. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor of bilingual/TESOL education at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, a release said.

“In her short time here, [Ms. Bottcher] has demonstrated her commitment to students, teachers, parents and the entire Southampton school community,” Dyno said.

Bottcher holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and an advanced graduate certificate in educational leadership, all from Stony Brook University. She is currently enrolled at St. John’s University for her doctoral degree.

“I have gained great knowledge about the elementary school and the district in my position as interim assistant principal,” Bottcher said. “The focus placed on community, the encouragement for all students to reach high expectations and the belief in a healthy yet challenging learning environment provide what all children need to achieve success. I have been allowed to build relationships based on trust and commitment with various stakeholders both inside the school and throughout the district, and I look forward to continuing to build those relationships as principal.”

The news follows the appointment of Dyno to the position of permanent Superintendent of Schools in March.

Dyno, who has served as the district’s interim superintendent since April, 2016, when former Superintendent Dr. Scott Farina resigned, has more than 20 years of administration experience.

Over the past 11 years, he advanced from principal of Southampton High School to the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction and then, as interim superintendent.

“Dr. Dyno possesses the professional experience, innovative vision, desire to engage our entire school community and personal integrity to lead Southampton to the next level of success,” said Board of Education President Roberta O. Hunter.

“It was clear from our community’s positive input that he was best suited to serve our district in a permanent capacity. My colleagues and I are confident that his experience, knowledge and insight will continue to provide our district with the expertise and leadership abilities necessary to continue its commitment to a high-quality education for all students," she said.

“Over the past 11 years, Southampton has become a large part of the fabric of my educational career and I am extremely grateful to the Board of Education for their confidence and the trust they have placed in me,” said Dyno. “I look forward to being a part of the district’s future and working together with all stakeholders to shape the educational experience for the community’s young learners.”

Dyno began his career in education in 1985 as a secondary school guidance counselor in the Poughkeepsie City School District, a release from the district said.

He has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Berklee College of Music, a master’s degree in counselor education from Marywood University, and a doctorate in educational administration from Dowling College.

He has also been involved in Harvard Graduate School of Education programs, is a member of many professional organizations, and has presented research on best practices at professional workshops.

In March of 2016, news broke that Farina was under investigation, according to the district's board of education.

Past superintendent Farina, a former principal at East Hampton High School, had served as the Southampton superintendent since 2013.

Photos of district staff courtesy of Southampton School District.