The search is under way for a new administrator to head South Colonie School District.
Superintendent Michael Marcelle announced that he will step down from his post after 34 years in public education, three of which were at South Colonie. Marcelle will stay on until Aug. 1, giving school officials ample time to find the right replacement and allow for a transitional period.
District stakeholders, including parents, teachers, administrators, students and community members met Monday, Oct. 29, with a hired consultant, the second time in October, to discuss the attributes needed in a new school leader. The same consultant, Western New York Educational Service Council, helped the district land Marcelle, who replaced Thomas Brown, who retired after serving as superintendent since 1989.
We are sorry to see him go. He’s done a great job in the three years he’s been here, said South Colonie board of education president Tim Ryan of Marcelle. `We appreciate everything Mike has done for the district.`
Marcelle has been instrumental in establishing a three-to-five year plan for the school, said Ryan. He has helped in the development of early childhood education programs and has helped the district prepare itself for changes in education involving transitional kindergarten programs and expanded universal pre-kindergarten, he said.
He has also seen through needed capital improvements to Veeder Elementary School, roughly $9 million, in the area the district currently is seeing the greatest residential growth. Marcelle’s proactive programs will leave the district in good standing, Ryan said.
`We are not seeing a huge population increase yet, but we are pretty maxed out as far as space,` said Marcelle.
Before coming to South Colonie, Marcelle was superintendent for nine years at Scotia-Glenville Central Schools. Before that, he served five years at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central Schools. His 34 years in education began as a social studies teacher.
The search for Marcelle’s replacement is expected to take several months, said Ryan.
The search committee will interview potential candidates and make recommendations to the board of education. Ryan said he hopes that by February or March, a replacement superintendent will be picked.“