The Canajoharie Board of Education appointed Nick Fitzgerald as the district’s new superintendent, effective July 1, at a special meeting on Tuesday, March 19.
“I am excited, grateful and humbled to be the next Superintendent of Schools for the Canajoharie Central School District,” Fitzgerald said. “The district has a proud tradition of excellence and a sense of community. I am looking forward to being a part of that tradition.”
Fitzgerald is currently the high school principal at Cairo-Durham Central School District, where he has served since 2015.
Search process
The board of education first met with the superintendent search consultant, Richard Rose, in October 2018 following the announcement by current Superintendent Deborah Grimshaw that she would retire from the district on June 30, 2019.
The board received 29 applications for the position by the Dec. 21 deadline, and on Jan. 24 trimmed the list of candidates to six and shortly after, cut it to three.
Three community forums were held in late February to gather input from all stakeholders, including parents, guardians, students, residents, faculty, and staff.
“Speaking on behalf of the board and as a member of the community, we are looking forward not only to welcoming Mr. Fitzgerald as our new superintendent but to the forward-looking and compassionate leadership he promises to provide,” said Board President Mark Brody.
Fitzgerald will begin his duties on July 1.
Before his time at Cairo-Durham, Fitzgerald served as an adjunct instructor at Maria College, where he taught computer and technology. He previously served as assistant principal and director of athletics, physical education, health and family and consumer sciences at South Glens Falls Central School District. Fitzgerald began his career as a business teacher, technology coordinator and department chairperson at Watervliet City School District.
Mr. Fitzgerald is a graduate of Siena College where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting and went back to obtain his teaching certification in distributive education. He earned a master’s degree in curriculum development and technology from the University at Albany. Fitzgerald is currently finishing his doctorate degree in education leadership from Capella University.
Fitzgerald and his wife, Stephanie, of Albany, have two daughters.