School board confirms Lockhart as interim assistant superintendent
Editor’s note: This letter from Dr. Cheryl Champ was provided by the Pelham School District.
Dear Pelham Parents and Community Members,
I am pleased to announce that Wednesday afternoon, the Board of Education appointed Susan Lockhart as Interim Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services and Sean Llewellyn as Interim Assistant Middle School Principal. I believe both Ms. Lockhart and Mr. Llewellyn will provide strong leadership and stability in their respective new roles.
Ms. Lockhart has had a long and effective career in special education, serving as the Director of Special Education and Support Services for the Harrison Central School District from 2010-2015 after holding positions as a teacher, Supervisor of Elementary Special Education and Elementary CSE Chairperson. Most recently, she served as the Interim Director of Pupil Personnel and Student Services for the Mount Pleasant Central School District. She holds a Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College, and a Master’s of Education from the College of New Rochelle.
After conducting two separate searches to fill Rosemary Matthew’s position, we did not find what we believed to be the right fit for our District. This resulted in the decision to appoint an interim candidate and continue the search. After screening several candidates, we believe Ms. Lockhart’s breadth of experience, familiarity with the position, and expertise in all facets of the Pupil Personnel Services Department make her an excellent fit for this short-term position. Additionally, Mrs. Matthews will assist in the transition in a consulting capacity, adding an additional layer of support and stability.
To aid in the search for a permanent assistant superintendent, I have recommended that the Board hire an independent search firm to identify and recruit highly-qualified candidates. We believe this additional step will ensure that we are able to bring in a candidate who is a strong match for the department and the Pelham community as a whole.
We are equally excited about the appointment of Mr. Llewellyn as interim Assistant Middle School Principal to work alongside Lynn Sabia for the 2018-19 school year. Mr. Llewellyn brings with him an important familiarity with both the middle school and the Pelham community, having served the District for eight years as a teacher and English Supervisor before stepping into his most recent position as Supervisor of International Baccalaureate. In total, Mr. Llewellyn has 25 years of experience in education, including nine years as an Assistant Principal at Merrick Avenue Middle School in Merrick, NY and Seneca Middle School in Holbrook, NY. In his role as International Baccalaureate Supervisor, Mr. Llewellyn has led the charge in implementing the IB Middle Years Programme both at the Middle School, which received its authorization as an IB World School last year, and at the high school in grades 9 & 10. The IB Supervisor responsibilities will be transitioned to current administrative staff, however Mr. Llewellyn’s experience implementing the IB MYP will be instrumental as we continue to build on the successes of the middle school.
Ms. Sabia said, “I am thrilled that Sean will be joining me at the Middle School and look forward to working with him as we prepare for a new school year. As we have rolled out the IB MYP, Sean and I have worked closely together and have an excellent relationship. Together, we will seek to provide stability as we continue to offer a challenging curriculum for our students, while also helping to prepare them prepare socially and emotionally for the next stages of their education and lives.”
With these two positions filled, the District’s administrative team is now set as we begin the transition into the 2018-19 school year. I would like to thank the many teachers, administrators, parents, community members and students who volunteered the time to complete our surveys and participate in focus groups. Your insights and feedback were instrumental in helping us identify the right leaders for the next chapter in the Pelham Public Schools’ history.
Please enjoy a restful and relaxing summer.
With Gratitude,
Cheryl H. Champ, Ed. D.
