People Watch
School Administrator, October 2020


Alexandra Estrella

After seven years as superintendent of Community School District 4 in New York, N.Y., Alexandra Estrella is the new superintendent in Norwalk, Conn. She previously was the founding principal of Esperanza Preparatory Academy in New York City. An educator for more than 20 years, Estrella entered the field as a science teacher and worked as a research assistant at Rockefeller University. She received her doctorate in education from Sage College of Albany in New York. Estrella became an AASA member in 2020.
 



Marnie Hazelton

Marnie Hazelton joined the Linden, N.J., Public Schools as superintendent after almost five years as superintendent of the 3,400-student district in Roosevelt, N.Y. She previously was the assistant superintendent for elementary education, coordinator for elementary education and director of federal and state programs in Roosevelt. Earlier, Hazelton worked as a 4th- and 5th-grade teacher after her work life handling public relations and promotions for a private-sector firm. An AASA member since 2015, she received her doctorate in educational and policy leadership from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
 




Michael D. Nelson

The Washington Association of School Administrators has hired Michael Nelson as assistant executive director for professional learning. He had worked since 2007 as superintendent in Enumclaw, Wash., where he also served as assistant superintendent. During his 35 years in public education, Nelson worked as director of curriculum and instruction and elementary school principal in Federal Way, Wash. Recently, he served as a mentor for early career superintendents. Nelson began his education career as an elementary school teacher in Orting, Wash. He has been an AASA member since 2013.
 



Mary Catherine Reljac

Fox Chapel Area School District in Pittsburgh, Pa., has hired Mary Catherine Reljac as its new superintendent. Reljac had served as the assistant superintendent for the Franklin Regional School District in Murrysville, Pa., since 2013. She also is a facilitator for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Pennsylvania Leadership Program and has worked as a principal and a middle school music teacher. Reljac received her Ed.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and has been an AASA member since 2012.
 


Ana C. Riley

Ana Riley has joined the Rhode Island Department of Education as deputy commissioner for instructional programs, overseeing the divisions of teaching and learning, innovation, legal and finance, and operations. Previously, Riley was the superintendent for six years in Portsmouth, R.I., and superintendent for three years in Dartmouth, Mass. She started her career in Fall River, Mass., working for 16 years as a middle and high school science teacher and principal. An AASA member since 2014, Riley earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.





Frederick C. Williams

Fred Williams, an educator for 27 years in Georgia’s Dublin City Schools, has been named the school system’s first African American to serve in the superintendency. He previously worked as assistant superintendent. Williams started his teaching career in 1993 in the Dublin schools as a physical education teacher and football coach for the Dublin Fighting Irish football team. A member of AASA since 2015, Williams received his Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.


 




APPOINTMENTS
 
Sondra Adams, from acting superintendent to superintendent, Pojoaque Valley School District, Santa Fe, N.M.
Mark Anglin, from superintendent, Broadus, Texas, to superintendent, Bloomington, Texas
Gustavo Balderas, from superintendent, Eugene, Ore., to superintendent, Edmonds, Wash.
Craig Barringer, from superintendent, Libby, Mont., to superintendent, Sweetwater County, Wyo.
Michael Goddard, from principal, Lovejoy High School to superintendent, Lovejoy, Texas
Rachel Goldberg, from assistant superintendent, Passaic, N.J., to superintendent, Springfield, N.J.
Charles Hanson, from superintendent, Joliet, Ill., to superintendent, Tomah, Wis.
Eric Knuth, from superintendent, Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District, Parish, N.Y., to superintendent, Skaneateles, N.Y.
Alex McCaul, from superintendent, Kingston K-14 School District, Cadet, Mo., to superintendent, Potosi, Mo.
David Piperato, from superintendent, Pleasant Valley School District, Brodheadsville, Pa., to superintendent, Easton, Pa.
Cindy Sims, from executive director of personnel, Moriarty-Edgewood School District, Moriarty, N.M., to superintendent, Estancia, N.M.
Jane Stavem, from superintendent, Lake Washington School District, Redmond, Wash. to superintendent, Sioux Falls, S.D.
John Strycker, from superintendent, Butler County, Ala., to superintendent, Jackson County School District, Vancleave, Miss.
Ismael Vivanco, from dual superintendent, Orondo, Wash., and Palisades, Wash., to superintendent, Mount Vernon, Wash.
 

RETIREMENTS

Elizabeth Abernethy, executive director, Region 7 Education Service Center, Kilgore, Texas
Andy Carlson, superintendent, Havre, Mont.
Patricia A. Ciccone, superintendent, Westbrook, Conn.
Kent DeKoninck, superintendent, Greenwood, Ind.
Ron Jacobs, superintendent, Riverdale Community Unit School District, Port Byron, Ill.
Cynda Rickert, superintendent, Eagle Point, Ore.
Doug White, superintendent, Old Rochester Regional School District, Mattapoisett, Mass.
Joe Windle, superintendent, Tallapoosa County Schools, Dadeville, Ala.
 

DEATH

Irene Lee Cornish, 78, retired superintendent, Stratford, Conn., May 31
 

News about AASA members’ promotions, retirements, honors and deaths should be addressed to: Editor, School Administrator, 1615 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Fax: 703-841-1543. Email: magazine@aasa.org