Lakeland BOE Votes Unanimously For New Superintendent

SHRUB OAK, NY — The Lakeland Central School District has chosen a new superintendent.

At the Board of Education meeting Thursday, interim Superintendent Karen Gagliardi was unanimously voted to become the district superintendent.

Gagliardi has been the interim leader of the district since October, having previously served as assistant superintendent for instruction.

Board President Adam Kaufman said the board was very pleased with her performance to date and believes this appointment will continue to have a positive effect on the community.

"In addition to her leadership skills, Dr. Gagliardi has a keen understanding of the needs of our district and has assembled a strong leadership team that is equally dedicated to the students of Lakeland," he said.

Gagliardi said, after being sworn in, that her experience serving the district over the last six months has reaffirmed her commitment to serving as superintendent.

"The future is bright for Lakeland, and I am humbled and honored to lead and serve our district," she said.

With the restrictions and mandates of the pandemic hopefully behind the community, Gagliardi said the district will sharpen its focus on instruction and work to enhance the educational spaces to best engage students.

"There will always be challenges to overcome, but I am confident that we will continue to grow together to support the needs of all students through collaboration and learning from one another," she said.

Gagliardi began her teaching career as a middle school teacher at Villa Maria Academy in the Bronx, before moving to Haldane Central School District, where she taught fourth grade. She earned her bachelor of arts in psychology and education from the College of New Rochelle; a master's degree in science for elementary education from Mercy College; professional certification in education administration from the Teachers College at Columbia University; and an educational doctorate in instructional leadership from St. John’s University.

She began in Lakeland in 2003 and served as assistant principal and principal before joining the central office in 2019 as assistant superintendent for instruction.