Elsie Rodriguez appointed new Monroe-Woodbury superintendent
CENTRAL VALLEY — The Monroe-Woodbury School Board unanimously appointed Interim Superintendent Elsie Rodriguez as the district's new superintendent at Wednesday night's board meeting, ending the search process which began last year.
Rodriguez now officially assumes district's highest administrative position as its budget is finalized and presented to voters next month, Common Core curriculum and Kiryas Joel annexation issues continue to take center stage in the public's eye and most recently, parent, teacher and union outcry over ELA and math state assessment exams has created opt-out rates never before seen in the district's history.
One of three finalistsRodriguez was one of three final candidates vying for the position, and was selected over Joseph Prisinzano, assistant to the superintendent for administration, research, innovation and common core for the Jericho School District on Long Island and Dr. Timothy Wade, deputy superintendent for the Rondout Valley Central School District in Ulster County in a rigorous process involving the school community.
Rodriguez was assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction until she was named interim superintendent after Edward Mehrhof, the district's previous superintendent, was terminated last May for causes yet to be disclosed.
From an initial pool of 11 candidates, the Board of Education narrowed the field to four and later invited those three to interview.
'A passion for our profession'Rodriguez, a former teacher, was also principal of the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School for many years.
In her 2015 opening school year address to district employees, Rodriguez reinforced her commitment and connection to teaching.
"My love and passion for our profession runs deep," she said. I am a teacher first - in habit, heart and soul. Even though I serve as an administrator, I never stop teaching."
In that speech she vowed to work in a collaborative effort, with a pledge to earn the trust of all district constituents.
Editor's note: Rodriguez's appointment as superintendent was announced as The Photo News' publication deadline neared. Watch for a lengthier story on her appointment in a future edition.
- Nancy Kriz