Michele R. Weaver, currently the building principal at Oppenheim-Ephratah School District, will be the next Middleburgh Central School superintendent, replacing Interim Superintendent Thomas F. Gould.
The Middleburgh Board of Education offered the position to Ms. Weaver on November 14 and expects to officially appoint her at the next scheduled board meeting, December 12. Ms. Weaver has accepted and a special meeting to make the appointment may be held. Ms. Weaver will begin her duties as superintendent in mid-January.
“We were very fortunate to have so many quality candidates apply in our superintendent search,” said school board President Donald Wood. “We are excited about Michele’s appointment as Middleburgh’s new superintendent.
“Michele is very energetic and enthusiastic with a strong desire to improve our district. We feel Michele is a great match for our school and look forward to working and supporting Michele in her new position.”
Members of five interview committees gave their findings on November 6. School board members interviewed two finalists again on November 8 before making a selection on Wednesday.
The four finalists for the position were: Ms. Weaver; Middleburgh Elementary Principal Amy Lennon; Kevin Johnson, Middle School Principal in Oneonta; and Mary Lou Baker, former principal of Fort Edward Elementary School.
A resident of Canajoharie, Ms. Weaver has been principal at Oppenheim-Ephratah since 2002. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal and chairperson in that district for three years and worked as a learning disabilities specialist at Herkimer County Community College for 10 years. She began her career as a special education teacher in the Canastota and Fort Plain Central School Districts.
Ms. Weaver received a bachelor degree in special education/elementary education from the State University College at Buffalo in 1983 and her master’s degree in learning disabilities from the College of Saint Rose in 1987. She earned her school administrator certification from the State University College at Cortland in 2001.
Ms. Weaver’s selection as superintendent is the result of an exhaustive, statewide search that began in August and relied heavily on the input of Middleburgh staff, students and community members. The district-wide credential review committee screened the initial pool of 23 applicants, and the Board of Education selected six to interview. Four candidates were then interviewed by five separate committees – representing students, teachers, school-related personnel, administrators and community members. Based on the committees’ feedback, the Board narrowed the field to two finalists before choosing Ms. Weaver.
Capital Region BOCES Chief Operating Officer Gerald Carozza coordinated the recruitment and search process at no charge to the district.
Ms. Weaver will replace Mr. Gould, who has served as interim superintendent since mid-July. Mr. Gould was appointed following the departure of Doug Kelley, who was named superintendent of Hoosick Valley Central Schools.