Mark Lauria named new Executive Director of NYSAIS
Mark W. Lauria has been selected by the NYSAIS trustees to succeed Elizabeth Riegelman as the Executive Director as of July 1, 2009. The Board’s vote was unanimous and with the confidence that Mark is the right person with the vision and experience to lead NYSAIS in the years ahead.
Since 1996, Mark has been the Headmaster of Foothill Country Day School in Claremont, California. Foothill has 260 students pre-K through 8th grade. Prior to his appointment, Mark served as a teacher, Principal, Director of Certificated Personal and Staff Development, and Assistant Superintendent of the Ontario-Montclair School District. Currently, Mark is the President of the Board of Directors for the California Association of Independent School (CAIS). He also served as Chair as the Board of Standards for the annual accreditation of elementary schools for CAIS.
It is a combination of his experience and his vision for the future that impressed the search committee and the NYSAIS Board. The Board believes that Mark will continue to strengthen our association, and provide the financial, technology, and organizational skills needed in the years ahead.
In preparation for his transition to NYSAIS, Mark will be observing the May Accreditation Commission, as well as the April and June Board of Trustees meetings. Once he has moved East, the Board will arrange regional meetings with NYSAIS heads of schools to meet Mark and hear his vision of the future of the organization.
NYSAIS is in great appreciation to Steve Clement, who chaired an excellent search committee that included Linda Gibbs, Trudy Hall, Angela Henry, Scott Nelson, Arch Smith, Stephen Watters, and Rick Bryan. The committee was served very well by our consultants, Stephen and Harriet DiCicco of Educational Directions. We began our work in mid October, and by January we explored a list of over fifty nominated candidates, many with very strong credentials. The committee worked closely with our consultants in this process as we made reference phone calls and poured over letters and applications. The three finalist candidates visited the NYSAIS offices, met with the staff, and were interviewed by members of the NYSAIS Board of Trustees prior to the final meeting with the search committee.
Penney will continue her fine efforts on behalf of NYSAIS until the end of June. She has been keeping a close eye on the state budget in relation to our schools. Penney has accepted the Head of School position at the Brown School in Schenectady, NY. Her leadership of this small Pre K-8 school will allow her to continue to be involved in schools as well as provide time for the needs of her family.