Ossining Identifies Top Five Superintendent Candidates

Just over a week since Dr. Phyllis Glassman spent her last day as the  schools' superintendent, the district is making strides toward choosing its new leader.

"Thirty-two school administrators from 10 states have applied for the opportunity to become the Ossining Union Free School District’s next superintendent of schools," the district announced through Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, its search consultant for the process.

Since Glassman retired on January 14, Raymond Sanchez has been serving as interim superintendent. He is also the district's deputy superintendent.

Of the 32 applicants, BOCES has narrowed its field down to five candidates, who will meet with the Board of Education for interviews. The Board will be responsible for picking the top three from this pool.

Then, community members will become directly involved in the selection process, BOCES said.

"These three finalists will be interviewed by the district’s search committee in early February," a statement from BOCES explained.

The district previously selected three community members to serve on the committee, as well as solicited residents' suggestions through a survey and at community forums in November and December. BOCES reported more than 100 people attended the forums, while almost 200 additional residents completed the online survey.

"There is no decision more important than who will lead our district into the future," said Board of Education President Bill Kress in the statement. "For this reason, we are conducting a very careful search, which began by seeking extensive input from the community."

After the top three candidates are reviewed by the committee—which also includes student and staff representation—the Board will again interview the applicants. Finally, a site visit to the top candidate's district will take place before the new superintendent is announced.

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