Amsterdam Superintendent Search
An invitation to apply for the position of Superintendent of Schools
The Greater Amsterdam School District Board of Education has launched a comprehensive search for a forward-thinking educational leader to serve as its next Superintendent of Schools.
The successful candidate must be committed to fostering a climate of excellence and inclusiveness for this diverse small city school district with an enrollment of approximately 3,700 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Located in the middle of New York State, Amsterdam has a proud heritage and a promising future. The district seeks a dedicated, talented administrator who will embrace all the positive aspects the area has to offer, who has a desire to become a part of the community, and who will face the district’s challenges head on and foster exceptional opportunities for students.
The Board is working with HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin to conduct the superintendent search. The new superintendent is expected to begin work in July 2020.
About the district
About the community
Demographics
Qualifications
Budget information
About the Greater Amsterdam School District
The GASD serves residents in the city and town of Amsterdam, and those in parts of the neighboring towns of Florida, Mohawk, Duanesburg, Glenville, Charlton, and Perth.
Children begin their scholastic careers in one of the district’s four elementary schools – the William H. Barkley, Marie Curie, Raphael J. McNulty, and William B. Tecler schools – which serve students in pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade. The elementary buildings now operate on lottery-based magnet system, however, the district is currently gathering public input and forming a redistricting committee as it prepares to return to a neighborhood school model. Students in grades six through eight attend the Wilbur H. Lynch Literacy Academy before entering Amsterdam High School.
The district believes that students of all ages can and should learn and that the purpose of GASD schools is to educate the whole child. The district recognizes that this comes in the form of celebrating cultural diversity, nurturing partnerships with the home and business community and maintaining expectations of excellence for all students. Beyond the classroom, what makes the student experience exceptional in the GASD is the multitude of opportunities available, including many clubs and after school programs. The district also offers robust athletics and an exceptional music program, both of which receive strong community support.
In March 2016, district residents approved a six-phase $48.9 million capital project to address safety and infrastructure needs. The first four phases saw renovations and repairs at the elementary buildings and Amsterdam High School. Phase Five, which features renovations to Lynch Literacy Academy, is expected to begin in 2020 and continue through 2021. Phase Six will focus on district-wide safety.
To learn more about the district, visit www.gasd.org.
The community
Amsterdam sits on the north and south sides of the the historic Mohawk River and was nicknamed the “Carpet City” for its once booming carpet and textile mills. The city is now proudly working toward an economic revival with several bold initiatives underway. Recognizing its promise, New York State recently awarded Amsterdam a competitive $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.
Coupled with private funding and other grants, this investment in the city’s downtown and waterfront area includes 15 transformational projects including the construction of a waterfront entertainment destination, the institution of a business incubator and STEM education center at the Amsterdam Free Library, the establishment of a Downtown Improvement Fund, the construction of a community and recreation center and several other projects.
These future projects will complement recent successful efforts such as the creation of Riverlink Park and the construction of the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook pedestrian bridge.
Amsterdam is located about 30 miles west of Albany
Demographics
In grades K-12, the student population is 47.8 percent Latino, 36.1 percent white; 6.6 percent African American; 7.0 percent multiracial; and 2.5 percent Asian or Native Hawaiian. Approximately 68 percent of students are classified as economically disadvantaged.
The district is one of the city’s largest employers, with approximately 20 administrators, 224 teachers and 127 support staff.
Qualifications
The GASD Board of Education is seeking a highly-principled, strategic, and collaborative administrator who will move the district forward, and who:
- Can lead and motivate students, families, administrators, faculty and staff toward improved student learning and academic achievement;
- Can manage the district’s resources responsibly while ensuring the educational needs of all children are being met;
- Can implement practices to help ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion;
- Can listen well and engage with all stakeholders
- Can communicate effectively and proactively
- Can engage parents and community partners in the education of children
- Can build trust and maintain confidence with the Board of Education, staff and community;
- Is a certified administrator
2019-20 Budget Information
Greater Amsterdam School District residents approved the $77,202,687 proposed budget for the 2019-20 school year. For the fourth consecutive year, the budget proposal maintained a 0 percent tax levy increase and also remained below the district’s tax levy cap.
Total Budget: $77,202,688
To learn more visit the district’s budget webpage
