Brewster Schools to See New Administrator

The Brewster Central School District will return to four administrators—which officials say has been the norm, not the exception—for the 2013-2014 academic year year.

Valerie Henning-Piedmonte, an assistant superintendent at Clarkstown, has met with the Brewster Board of Education, Dr. Jane Sandbank said during a budget press conference Monday. The position she'll take on in Brewster is the assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Sandbank and Board President Dr. Stephen Jambor said this position provides the "missing link" between buildings, which often operate independent of one another. Officials are hoping to provide a "coordinated, articulated K-12 systemic program," and plan to have Henning-Piedmonte "lead the charge." 

"Why do we not play this game as officially as baseball? You don't ask the shortstop to cover first base," Jambor said. "I'm asking, and the board agreed, for a legitimate first baseman, and we think she's a bona fide contender tor that position. Valerie's going to be great for us."

Dr. Manya Bouteneff served as director of curriculum, instruction and professional personnel until the end of 2012. That combination of responsibilities didn't work, because "personnel trumps curriculum," especially with all the recent cutbacks, Sandbank said. So the district has restructured the fourth opening to one that focuses on curriculum, instruction and assessment.

This year, the district office has consisted of Sandbank, Timothy Conway as deputy superintendent and Steven Moskowitz as assistant superintendent for human resources and technology.