GJSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan to retire effective Sept. 30
GJSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan has announced that she will retire from her position, effective Wednesday, Sept. 30.
In a statement to the Board of Education at its April 29 meeting, Dr. Geelan said:
“I am needed by my family, and therefore I will be retiring in September. I have been, am currently and will continue to be fully dedicated to the students, families, faculty and staff of the Greater Johnstown School District. By now, you should know that I am not one to shy away from a challenge, nor am I someone who leaves work undone. We will make our transition to sustainability in the Johnstown schools together, and I will be here until a successor is found and in place.
“I am truly grateful for the people in Johnstown with whom I have the privilege to work. The Board and administrative team are second to none. I pledge to continue to lead with an unwavering dedication to our work together.”
Dr. Geelan will continue to serve as interim superintendent while the district conducts a search for her replacement. The school board is expected to appoint HFM BOCES District Superintendent David Ziskin as the superintendent search consultant at its May 7 meeting.
As part of their statutory duties, BOCES district superintendents may be asked by component school boards to act as consultants during superintendent searches. Dr. Ziskin would work with the board to create recruitment material and assist with the development of selection criteria and a process for interviews.