The Weedsport Central School District Board of Education is thrilled to announce the selection of two outstanding finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools. This important decision follows the retirement of longtime superintendent, Mr. Shaun O’Connor, at the end of this calendar year. After conducting two rounds of interviews with a highly competitive candidate pool, the Board of Education has identified Mr. Luke Carnicelli and Mr. Gregory Stone as the top contenders for this pivotal role. The final round of evaluations is scheduled to take place on September 27th and 28th.
The final assessment round, titled “A Day in the District,” will provide a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate’s qualifications and suitability for the position. This assessment will encompass school visits, discussions with key stakeholders, visits to the central office, and a concluding meeting with the Board of Education.
Meet the Finalists
Luke Carnicelli:
The Weedsport Central School District Board of Education is pleased to introduce Mr. Luke Carnicelli as one of our Superintendent finalists. With a strong background in educational leadership and a history of innovation, Mr. Carnicelli has made significant contributions to the field of education throughout his impressive career. His steadfast dedication to student growth and development has made a lasting impact, and his inclusion as a finalist in our selection process reflects his notable qualifications, loyalty and commitment.
Mr. Luke Carnicelli currently serves as the Secondary Principal in the Southern Cayuga Central School District in Aurora, NY. With two decades of administrative experience and a proven track record of leadership, Mr. Carnicelli is well-equipped to continue the tradition of excellence in Weedsport Central School District. His accomplishments include enhancing student outcomes through innovative instructional practices, driving educational learning initiatives, strategic planning, curriculum development, and community engagement. He is passionate about fostering a positive learning environment where students thrive and excel, and he is dedicated to ensuring the success and well-being of all students, staff, and community stakeholders.
Mr. Carnicelli’s educational and professional background includes roles such as Secondary Principal at Southern Cayuga Central School District, Middle School Principal at Central Square Central School District, and significant classroom experience in science education and department chair leadership.
Mr. Carnicelli’s commitment to education is underscored by his academic preparation and continued professional development, which includes:
- Superintendent Development Program through SUNY Oswego
- Certificate of Advanced Study, Educational Leadership (SBL/SDL) from SUNY Oswego
- Master of Science in education, Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Oswego
Carnicelli states that his professional goal is to empower students and staff members to assist each on their pathways to success. “Not only do I attempt to effectively share best educational practices with staff, I am always open and willing to learn from them. The motto I have adopted along my administrative journey is, ‘personal and academic excellence.’ I’ll use this motto as a driving force to positively impact all stakeholders.”
Gregory Stone:
The Weedsport Board of Education is proud to announce Mr. Gregory Stone as a distinguished finalist for the upcoming superintendent vacancy. With an extensive background in education, Mr. Stone brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of successful leadership to the Weedsport Central School District.
Mr. Stone’s qualifications are a testament to his deep understanding and expertise in key educational domains, including curriculum and instruction, fiscal accountability and budgeting, educational systems and supports, NYS laws and regulations, professional growth/development, personnel management, and strategic planning. His experience extends to essential educational frameworks such as Response To Intervention (RTI), Professional Learning Communities (PLC), and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Moreover, Mr. Stone is well-versed in curriculum alignment, mapping, pacing, and assessments, all of which contribute to his ability to improve school/district culture through trust, transparency, and integrity.
In addition to his wealth of practical experience, Mr. Stone boasts an impressive educational background:
- Certificate of Advanced Study, Educational Leadership (SBL/SDL) from Le Moyne College
- Master of Science in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Oswego
- Bachelor of Arts, Music Education from Ithaca College
Throughout his career, Mr. Stone has demonstrated his commitment to achieving high levels of learning for all students. His leadership experience includes serving as the Director of English Language Arts and Elementary Education at North Syracuse CSD, where he oversaw all aspects of elementary education, spearheading curriculum and instruction initiatives that drove educational excellence. Additionally, Mr. Stone has served as a principal at Smith Road Elementary School and as a teacher at various levels, providing him with a comprehensive perspective on the educational landscape. His contributions to district-wide strategic planning processes have further cemented his reputation as a visionary leader.
Stone states “My primary goal is to ensure that every student is provided the resources,
support and instruction to meet their maximum potential. As educators in the twenty-first century, our role has changed dramatically. To prepare our students for a twenty-first century global economy, we can no longer rely on our industrial past and traditional teaching models. Our schools must adapt to our changing society and address the needs of our communities.”
“A Day in the Weedsport Central School District”
The Weedsport Central School District Board of Education is confident that both finalists possess the skills, expertise, and dedication required to lead the district into a successful future. Each stakeholder group will have an opportunity to participate in the evaluation process during the finalists’ “A Day in the District,” and we look forward to introducing our new Superintendent of Schools in the near future.
For more information and updates on the Superintendent selection process, please visit our website https://www.weedsport.org/superintendent-search/
About Weedsport Central School District:
The Weedsport Central School District is committed to providing an excellent education to all students. Recognizing that learning is a life-long process and that all students can learn, the Weedsport Central School Community is committed to providing and promoting an environment that:
- Encourages…students to reach their maximum level of achievement,
- Guides…students to become respectful, resourceful and responsible learners, and
- Prepares…students for challenges and demands of our ever-changing world.