Posted 6/27/12

BOE officially appoints new leader at special meeting on Tuesday

The Gloversville Enlarged School District Board of Education formally appointed Michael B. Vanyo as superintendent of schools during a special meeting on Tuesday, according to Interim Superintendent Cliff Moses.

Vanyo has been serving as superintendent of schools for the Liberty Central School District in Sullivan County for the past five years.

During this time, Liberty was able to move from a School In Need of Improvement to a School in Good Standing. Under Vanyo’s leadership, the district implemented programs that focused on improving graduation rates, student behavior and attendance. Between July 2009 and July 2011, graduation rates at Liberty increased by over 15 percent.

"It's fantastic that we have someone who's had experience with a similar school district and faced challenges like our own," Board President Pete Semione said, noting that Vanyo "meets the profile that the community developed through our many focus groups."

The focus groups all agreed that a top contender should be, above all, someone with a distinguished record of improving student learning.

"The profile called for someone with exceptional interpersonal skills, an appreciation for and success with meeting the diverse needs of students,” said Semione.

In addition to his five years as superintendent for Liberty, Vanyo has also served as Liberty’s chief school financial officer from 2006 to 2007. Previous experience includes serving as a business administrator for Lake George Central School District and Hoosic Valley Central School District; he has also served as a state aid specialist for Questar III BOCES and a business education teacher at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District.

Vanyo holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from St. John Fisher College, a master’s degree in teaching from Pace University and a master’s degree in educational administration and policy studies from the University at Albany.

Vanyo will take the GESD helm on Sept. 1.