K-L to Seek Interim Principal, Other Staff Hired

After initializing a search for a replacement for John Jay High School principal Ellen Doherty following her April resignation, the school district has decided to look for an interim replacement for the 2012-13 academic year, officials said this week.

The district received about 70 applications for the position, which was advertised in the New York Times, among other outlets, along with the openings of assistant superintendent of human resources, director of technology and transportation supervisor.

"We have decided that a longer search period will enable the district to find better qualified applicants for the position," said Paul Kreutzer, superintendent of schools, in an email to Patch.

Doherty vacates the position July 1 to as principal of White Plains High School.

In the meantime, the district appointed Patricia Kristoferson as its next transportation supervisor, effective July 1, officials announced Monday.

At tonight's school board meeting, they will recommend to the school board the appointments of Scott Persampieri as assistant superintendent for human resources effective July 23 (contract under review) and Nancy Kim as director of technology, effective July 1 for a three-year probationary appointment at a salary of $155,078.

Kim's previous position was a director of technology at Saint David's School in New York City and before that, as a teacher in the Ossining School District. The director of technology is a new position.
 
Kristoferson replaces Jim Minihan, who in the Ossining School District. She has 22 years of experience and expertise in "administration, operations, customer service, human resources, and budgetary supervision to ensure productive and efficient operations," according to school officials. She is also a state certified driver insructor which qualifies her to assist the district in legal transportation compliance. She received a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

“We are pleased to welcome Ms. Kristoferson and believe that, with her background in management and school bus services, she will be an excellent Supervisor of Transportation for our District,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Kreutzer.

Kristoferson currently serves as the location manager for First Student, a school bus transportation company, managing the operation of a school bus fleet for the Poughkeepsie City School District and the Wallkill School District. She is hired for Katonah Lewisboro at an annual salary of $104,000 and will contribute 15 percent of her health insurance costs, which are capped at a defined dollar figure. Her contract also stipulates that vacation time must be used or lost and her retirement benefits will be only after completing 15 years of consecutive service and will require her to annually pay the dollar equivalent of her contribution on her last day of employment.

“With her extensive school transportation experience, Mrs. Kristoferson is an excellent choice to lead our vast and complex transportation system,” said Board of Education President Mark Lipton. “We welcome her to Katonah-Lewisboro.”