Susan Swartz to be named superintendent at Scotia-Glenville

Shenendehowa’s curriculum administrator to be appointed by Scotia-Glenville Board of Education July 11; begin Aug. 15

Susan M. Swartz, who has directed curriculum initiatives for the Shenendehowa Central School District for four years and has an extensive background in special education, will become Scotia-Glenville’s fifth superintendent since the district centralized in 1950.

Susan M. Swartz

The Board of Education is expected to appoint Swartz as superintendent at its regular meeting on Monday, July 11. The salary will be $125,000 per year.

"Scotia-Glenville is a terrific district. I look forward to serving the Scotia-Glenville community as superintendent of schools and am excited at the prospect of working with a strong school team and community,” said Swartz, 48.

“The work that is being done by the school community on behalf of students is commendable. I’m strongly committed to the instructional
program and the success of each and every student.”

She succeeds Michael J. Marcelle, who left Scotia-Glenville in April after nine years to become superintendent at the South Colonie Central School District. Since that time, J. Briggs McAndrews, Superintendent in Residence for the New York State Council of School Superintendents, has served as S-G’s interim superintendent.

Margaret Smith, president of the Board of Education, said Swartz had received high reviews during the entire hiring process and through interviews with the Board of Education and three School/Community Teams.

“Throughout this process, Susan Swartz has received strong support and her previous educational leadership and personal qualities are described as exemplary,” Smith wrote in a letter to the staff.

Smith said Swartz was widely praised as a “collaborative decision-maker, experienced in leading district-wide initiatives, a true learner and passionate about teaching and serving children. We see her as an excellent fit for our school district and look forward to the welcome and support all our staff can provide Susan in her role as superintendent.”

Swartz has been assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and learning at Shenendehowa since 2001. Prior to that, she was director of student services at Shen from 1997-2001 and coordinator of instructional support services from 1994-97. She was a special education teacher at Shen from 1986-94 and an adjunct professor at Russell Sage College in Troy from 1987-2000.

Her prior experience included being a master teacher at the Langan School in Albany and a special education teacher at the Saranac Central School District from 1978-84.

Swartz holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from SUNY Plattsburgh and a master’s in special education from Russell Sage.

She is a member of the national Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the NYS Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the International Reading Association.

She and her husband, Michael Tousignant, live in Clifton Park. She expects to move to Scotia-Glenville within a year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT MARGARET SMITH AT 381-4739; J. BRIGGS MCANDREWS, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT, AT 382-1215; OR ROBERT HANLON, COMMUNICATIONS, AT 386-4343