RCS News

Smith appointed superintendent of schools

(Dec. 9, 2011) At its regular meeting on Dec. 6, the RCS Board of Education made a unanimous decision to appoint Elisabeth Smith as superintendent of schools. Smith was appointed interim superintendent in August after former superintendent, Daniel Teplesky, left.

“My priorities are to increase student achievement, raise the graduation rate and to create a budget that is sound and acceptable to the taxpayers," says Smith.

Prior to serving as interim superintendent, Smith was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for two years. She joined RCS in January of 2003 as principal of Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School. Before coming to RCS, Smith gained her teaching experience in the Bethlehem Central School District, where she also served as an elementary English Language Arts coordinator.

She holds New York State permanent certification as a School District Administrator and permanent teacher certification, N-6. Smith received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Albright College, a master’s in education from Sage Graduate School, and completed course work for her School District Administrative Certification at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

At the Dec. 6 board meeting, Board Member Mike Robbins said, "I've made a lot of votes since I've been on the board, and this is going to be one of my proudest votes. What we're doing to get a candidate internally and getting someone who cares as much about the district as she does, like I said, it's one of my proudest moments."