McGuffog Named to Head Greenburgh-North Castle School District
By Andrew Vitelli
In her 26 years with the Pleasantville School District, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Carolyn McGuffog has used her experience as a neuropsychologist and educator to work with a range of students, finding ways to communicate with children with developmental disabilities.
Now, McGuffog will have the chance to lead a district after the Greenburgh-North Castle Union Free School District announced last week she will be its next superintendent.
“I feel like it’s a wonderful challenge and one that I’m really up for,” said McGuffog about her new position. “I look forward to the opportunity to take my skill set and apply it in a broader setting.”
Greenburgh-North Castle, a special act school district with four alternative junior high and high schools in the region for students with developmental disabilities, conducted a lengthy interview process with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, said its board President Dr. Robert Maher. An original field of 40 applicants was narrowed to five.
The district was looking for someone with a strong education background, experience working with and having empathy for children with disabilities, was a leader in the field and demonstrated an ability to bring students into the program.
“She hit all five,” Maher said, explaining that while there were several other qualified candidates there was a significant difference between McGuffog and the runner up. “You want to create quality programing for children in their immediate vicinity, and we believe Carolyn will be a good magnet for that.”
McGuffog, who holds doctorates from Teachers College at Columbia University in psychology and education, worked as a school psychologist at Pleasantville for 13 years before moving to the administrative side in 2004.
“It’s very difficult to leave,” McGuffog said. “But I am leaving a wonderful staff behind in Pleasantville who I am sure will carry on the kinds of programs that I have established there.”
McGuffog, who begins her new position Feb. 1, said she has used her background in neurological psychology and her experience in education to reach children.
“I just find it absolutely fascinating to use that knowledge and to connect it with evidence-based programs or interventions,” McGuffog said. “I get a lot of tremendous positive feedback from parents, students and staff.”
McGuffog is excited to use her experience to lead a district.
“Greenburgh-North Castle already has a very good reputation and has had a lot of success,” she said. “My goal would be to bring in a strong clinical piece, and in doing so hopefully have the opportunity to improve opportunities for students who are already there as well as attract additional students.”
McGuffog will be replacing Superintendent Dr. Edward Placke, who will be retiring from the position after eight years. Placke will begin a new role as the executive director of Green Chimneys in Brewster.
“He’s just been one of the greatest educational leaders,” Maher said. “He really put us on the map and achieved and maintained an 80 percent high school graduation rate.”
The Greenburgh-North Castle district is comprised of Greenburgh Academy in Yonkers, Kenneth B. Clark Academy in Dobbs Ferry, Kaplan Career Academy in New Windsor and REACH Academy in West Harrison.
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