Ogdensburg school board appoints interim superintendent

OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Board of Education appointed Ernest Palestis as interim superintendent of the school district on Tuesday, June 3.

Palestis will replace Timothy Nicinski, who served five years as superintendent and principal of the Ogdensburg School District, beginning Sept. 1. His contract, which was approved by Superintendent of County Schools Rosalie Lamonte, is effective through June 30, 2015, at a rate of $135,000 per year, which is pro-rated from Sept. 1

Palestis is principal/superintendent of Ramapo Indian Hills High School and Ramapo High School.

"I look forward to working with the Ogdensburg School District," he said. "I hear great things about the Board of Education, the staff, the administration, the curriculum and the students."

Nicinski will take over as superintendent/principal of the Stanhope School District in September.

Many teachers along with the parents commented on Nicinski’s warmth and compassion, and he was recognized for his pleasant demeanor and participation in the community. Nicinski stood outside the school’s entrance every day and greeted each student by name. One board member said “how much it meant to her that Nicinski greeted her child every morning by name.”

Nicinski thanked and commended the school board and the teachers for coming together through the challenging changes within the school district. He applauded parents and volunteers who helped make this a great year for the students

Vacancies and graduation
The school board will advertise for the vacant position of part-time librarian and a supervisor of special services for 2014-15.

The district's eighth-grade graduation will be Thursday, June 19 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. Each family will be allotted 12 tickets. There also will be an awards ceremony on June 17 at 10 a.m. Grades fifth through eighth will receive awards for sports, academics, bikathons, and all outstanding achievements.