Joseph Guardino is the new principal of Lisha Kill Middle School. He was appointed by the Board of Education on Feb. 12 and will begin his new position in March.
Guardino has worked for South Colonie Schools for more than 12 years, hired as a Lisha Kill physical education teacher in 1995, and serving as associate principal since August 2005. He replaces Francis Cocozza, who had been principal of the middle school since the 2005-06 school year before leaving in December to become the principal of Lake George Junior-Senior High School.
Former Guilderland Superintendent of Schools Gregory J. Aidala, has been serving as Lisha Kill interim principal since that time.
I am very excited about this new opportunity in my career, Guardino said, `and I look forward to working with an outstanding staff and student body. I feel very fortunate to be a principal in such a great district as South Colonie.`
In addition to his work in teaching and administration, Guardino has been involved in athletics at Colonie Central High School and in the community for many years. He was CCHS Physical Education Department coordinator from 2002-05, head varsity wrestling coach from 2001-05, and head freshman football coach from 1996-99. He has also served over the years as assistant varsity wrestling and baseball coach and Pee Wee Wrestling Club Director at the Colonie Youth Center.
Prior to coming to South Colonie, Guardino was a physical education teacher from 1991-95 at Watertown High School, and from 1989-1991 at Wiley Intermediate School in Watertown. He has also held several coaching positions in Watertown.
Guardino holds a School District Administrator Certificate from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He earned his master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in physical education at the New York State University at Cortland. “
