The Sewanhaka Central School District recently announced the hiring of two new administrators, in personnel and curriculum, to replace members of the administration who have retired or are retiring.
Last month, the Sewanhaka Board of Education appointed Cheryl Champ as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and Denise Nystrom as assistant superintendent for personnel and administration.
Both appointments are effective July 1.
Champ has been principal of Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak, NY for seven years. She will be replacing Linda Opyr who retired earlier this year.
Nystrom has worked in the Lynbrook School District since 1990 and has been administrator for personnel and students support services since 2007. She will be replacing Douglas Monaghan who is retiring this month.
Champ said she is eager to take the step from school administration to school district administration.
“That’s kind of been my long-term goal it to move into that kind of curriculum and instruction position,” Champ said. “The set-up of the district intrigues me. It fits my experience like a glove. My experience had been in middle school and high school. It’s something I know well and hope to bring a lot to.”
Champ has also served as assistant principal/interim principal at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School and Cohoes Middle School. She began her teaching career as a strings teacher and holds a bachelor of science in music education, instrumental, and a masters degree in education, administration.
Champ said after seven years at Lakeland High, she has “mixed emotions” about leaving. But she said she’s excited about the position in Sewanhaka.
“I’ve already been very impressed with the staff that I’ve met. They seem really focused on giving the students the best education opportunity possible,” Champ said.
Sewanhaka Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie said Champ “will use her leadership skills and experience in education to ensure her success in this position.”
Prior to her current position in Lynbrook, Nystrom worked as a teacher, district-wide testing coordinator and special education coordinator in the district.
“I’m looking forward to bringing all my experiences in personnel to Sewanhaka,” she said. “I just love the idea that it’s a big school district, a diversified school district. When I researched Sewanhaka, the culture just seems incredible.”
Nystrom said she has met all the building principals in the district in preparation to assuming the position.
“I think Swan has a fabulous culture. The more time I spend there, I can just see how dedicated everyone is to educating the students and I’m thrilled about that,” Nystrom said.
Ferrie said Sewanhaka will be “very fortunate” to have an administrator of Nystrom’s caliber in the school district.
