P’ville Board of Ed Appoints New High School Principal
By Janine Bowen
Following a months-long search, Pleasantville High School has a new principal.
The Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday night to appoint Joseph Palumbo to the position effective July 1. Palumbo has been principal at Brookfield High School in Brookfield, Conn. since 2011 and has eight years of administrative experience. He previously served as assistant principal at Brookfield and at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn.
“Throughout the [search] process, Mr. Palumbo exhibited strong qualifications,” Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter said as she made the announcement. “His detailed and specific responses demonstrated excellent education experience and expertise and his references were unanimously positive.”
During his time as an administrator, Palumbo helped to advance his schools by introducing block scheduling, expanding Advanced Placement offerings and introducing Web 2.0 technology to the curriculum.
He also serves as the second chair of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Palumbo has close ties to the area. He is a Brewster High School graduate and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in teaching with a concentration in social studies from Iona College in New Rochelle. He also has a master’s degree in educational instructional leadership from Fordham University.
Palumbo previously taught at Brewster High School, where he also coached football, and at New Rochelle Middle School. He said he is looking forward to taking the school’s reins.
“I can’t say how excited I am to have the opportunity to lead here at Pleasantville High School,” Palumbo said. “It’s a school that has a long record of success, it’s a vibrant community and it’s one that deeply values education in public schools.”
Palumbo said during his first year as principal he not only hopes to meet students and families, but become integrated into the Pleasantville community. He said he approaches education as a team sport and plans to attend a variety of local events to get to know residents. He also urged them to introduce themselves to him.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, Palumbo assured parents that he aims to do the best for their children.
“You have entrusted me with the most valuable commodity in town. You can be certain that I will work tirelessly to motivate, inspire and challenge them to be the best they can be,” he said.
Palumbo is the third principal to be appointed to Pleasantville since 2010. School officials fired Anthony Rotunno shortly after naming him principal following the revelation that staffers at his former school in the Bronx misused $90,000 in student raised funds. Last summer Dawn Bartz resigned amidst a cloud of controversy, claiming she was forced to step down by district officials. Dr. Daniel McCann has been serving as interim principal this year.
In selecting Palumbo, board members and the principal search committee concluded that with his experience he would make an outstanding addition, especially as the district embarks on its Pleasantville 2026 Strategic Plan.
“The timing is really perfect for a person with your qualifications and your skills,” Board President Shane McGaffey said to Palumbo. “You’re coming in at the perfect time in Pleasantville and I’m really excited about it.”
As one principal search reached its conclusion, another begins in Pleasantville. Bedford Road School Assistant Principal Dr. Cynthia Kramer will be leaving the school at the end of the current school year for a position in the Hendrick Hudson School District.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
