Program faculty subject to change based on availability

Matt Cook, Superintendent, Newark Central Schools
Matt Cook has served as Superintendent of the Newark Central School District since July of 2013. Prior to that he was the Director of Human Resources at Wayne Central Schools and before that was the Director of Educational Services at Lyons Central Schools. Matt completed the Superintendent Development Program, at SUNY Oswego, his administrator training at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education. He has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University. Matt has worked in the addictions field before coming into public school education as an Elementary School Social Worker.

Donna DeSiato, Ed.D., Superintendent, East Syracuse Minoa Central Schools
Donna DeSiato, a respected leader in the field of public education, proudly serves as Superintendent of the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District. As Superintendent of ESM since 2005, the District has realized significant gains in student achievement, experienced a continual increase in the graduation rate and developed innovative educational models with business partnerships. Most recently ESM was recognized nationally by the College Board on their 2011 AP Achievement list, by Newsweek for their Best 2000 High Schools in the nation and in 2013 was awarded the “Be the Change for Kids Innovation Award” by the Nanoscale College of Science and Engineering and New York State School Board Association. Dr. DeSiato was recognized in 2013 as Education Leader of the Year by Partners for Education & Business. She is highly regarded in education and in the business community for her expertise and leadership in 21st century learning and preparing graduates for our global society.

Terrance P. Dougherty, Ed.D., Superintendent, Hancock Central Schools
Terry Dougherty has been Superintendent of Schools of the Hancock Central School District, Hancock, New York since July 2002. Prior to Hancock he was High School Principal at Groton High School in Groton, New York. Dr. Dougherty has been very successful in moving the students of a small, rural school district to a high level of academic achievement. He has administered numerous changes in fiscal operations, facilities construction, labor relations, and technology. He enjoys strong community support. Terry was a member of the Syracuse University Football Team (full Scholarship) and played in the Sugar Bowl and Hall of Fame Bowl.

Susan Gray, Ph.D., Superintendent (Retired), Penfield Central Schools
Ethicist and Clinical Psychologist
Sue Gray is retired Superintendent of the Penfield Central Schools, 2000 to 2008. Prior to her Penfield leadership experience, she served for 10 years as a principal, assistant superintendent and Superintendent in the Hornell City School District and 14 years working as an administrator in the areas of special education and school psychology at the Steuben-Allegany BOCES. Dr. Gray is a certified school psychologist and licensed clinical psychologist. She was a professor at CCNY, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in child development, the psychology of learning and educational research, before moving into public education administration. Dr Gray has continued college teaching for 31 years, teaching graduate courses in special education, teaching learning and emotionally disabled children, educational leadership, and appraisal and assessment at Alfred University, SUNY Brockport and the University of Rochester. Dr. Gray earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and French from the College of Wooster; her doctorate in Educational Psychology with a focus on educational research from Penn State University; her School Psychologist certification from Alfred University and her Educational Administration certification from St. Bonaventure University.

Melinda McCool, Superintendent, McGraw Central Schools
Melinda McCool has served as Superintendent of the McGraw Central School District since July of 2016, returning to the school district that she attended from kindergarten to high school graduation as a student. Prior to that she was the Elementary Principal of Hunter Elementary School for ten years at Hunter-Tannersville Central Schools in the Northern Catskills. Melinda completed her Certificate of Advanced Study in School District Administration at SUNY Cortland. She has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a concentration is science and a Master of Science in Education for Literacy from SUNY Cortland. Melinda spent 14 years in the classroom as an elementary teacher at the Homer Central School District, taught summer school at the Lansing Residential Center, and supervised student teachers as an adjunct for the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY.

Timothy McElheran, Superintendent (Retired), Victor Central Schools
Superintendent Search Consultant
Tim McElheran is retired Superintendent of the Victor Central School District, 1998 to 2009. As Superintendent, he counts among his accomplishments at Victor the successful implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the nationally recognized pre-engineering program Project Lead The Way. He implemented a School of the Arts for Victor students. In addition to eight years of successful classroom teaching experience, Tim’s resume’ includes positions as Assistant to the Superintendent in the Webster Central School District, and nine years as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and three years as Interim Superintendent of the Fairport Central School District. For three years Tim was a faculty member in the Superintendent Development Program and has mentored several administrators who were subsequently successful in obtaining positions as superintendents of schools. Tim also served as an adjunct professor for SUNY Brockport, instructing graduate students in Advanced Personnel Management. The New York State Association of Women Administrators (NYSAWA) recognized Tim’s vision and ability to bring about change with the prestigious Linda Tinelli Shieve Award in 2005.

James M. Merrins, Ed.D., Superintendent (Retired), Fredonia Central Schools
Executive Program Administrator, Educational Leadership Institute, NYSAWA
See below.

James Mills, Ph.D., Superintendent (Retired),
Supervisor of Educational Leadership, Niagara University
Jim Mills has developed a profoundly practical body of knowledge about the skills necessary to be a successful school leader and has shared his insights, wisdom, and political thoughts with audiences of school leaders throughout the state. He is a dynamic, authoritative, provocative and animated presenter on issues that school leaders must confront as part of their leadership challenge. Since 1997 he has presented in the statewide series on Fiscal Navigation for Superintendents, providing long-range strategies on revenue driven budget development and guidance on fund balance management. His workshop “Everything is Negotiable,” and two day simulation “At the Table Negotiating Skills” have drawn acclaim as the best, most worthwhile professional workshops ever attended. He was a superintendent for eighteen years. Dr. Mills retired as superintendent of the Newfane Central School District in 2006. Prior to being a superintendent he was a negotiator for seventeen school boards and continued to represent districts while serving as superintendent. Jim did doctoral work at SUNY Buffalo in Education, Administration and Policy. He is currently a full-time professional faculty member at Niagara University where he teaches advanced graduate level courses for post-masters students seeking New York State certification as a school building leader, school district leader, or school business leader. Dr. Mills is a Past President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS).

ADMINISTRATION

James M. Merrins, Ed.D., Superintendent (Retired)
Executive Program Administrator, Educational Leadership Institute, NYSAWA
Jim Merrins is Executive Program Administrator of the Educational Leadership Institute. He administers the statewide Transition to Superintendency Program (since 2007) and is Executive Director of the School District Internal Auditing Alliance. Jim administers numerous workshops for superintendents and senior school administrators across New York State. Jim has over 40 years experience in school administration, 16 years as a Superintendent of Schools in Fredonia and Honeoye, New York. Dr. Merrins is also NYS certified as a School Business Administrator. To help superintendents and senior school administrators across New York State, he developed and manages the web site www.SuperintendentOfSchools.com with the popular resource centers – Preparing for the Superintendency Toolbox, The New Superintendent’s Toolbox, and The Superintendent’s File Cabinet. Dr. Merrins taught school finance and school law as an adjunct at SUNY colleges (Brockport, Fredonia, and Oswego) for several years.

Contact
James Merrins, Ed.D.
Executive Program Administrator
Comments, corrections, source documents, and questions welcome