Published: June 12, 2008 07:48 am      

Current Stamford principal expected to become super

By Mark Boshnack

Staff Writer

Stamford Central School is expected to be headed next school year by one of its current principals, a school official said.

Scott D. Hartman, 34, principal for grades 7-12, is expected to be appointed to the superintendent position at today's board of education meeting, said retiring superintendent Gregory Sanik. The position is expected to be effective July 1, and the starting salary is $95,000.

Hartman, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, was chosen after a selection process that began in March, Sanik said. Ten to 12 viable candidates were identified from the 33 applicants by an expanded shared-decision-making committee, he said. The group was whittled to three applicants about 1½ weeks ago.

"In the short amount of time he has been here, he has become a tremendous asset to the school," Sanik said. "He has a real knack for establishing mutual respect and rapport with students and faculty alike."

Though Hartman will start July 1, Sanik is not expected to retire until Aug. 31. The overlap will allow for a smooth transition and the completion of building projects, Sanik said.

Hartman graduated from Siena College in 1996, with a bachelor of arts degree and certified to teach social studies, Sanik said. Hartman obtained his master's in special education from the College of Saint Rose in 2001, earned his school administrator's certification from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2003 and his district administrator's certification from the same college in 2007. From 2006 to 2007, he was assistant director of education at LaSalle School in Albany, and he has been an assistant principal at Schoharie Central School. His career started in 1998 as a social studies teacher at Mohonasen High School.