Peekskill superintendent Judith Johnson was named the 2008 New York State School Superintendent of the Year by The State Council of School Superintendents.

The state wide group said Johnson, who has served in the position since 2001, has greatly improved education in the district. Among her accomplishments, the state council cited gains in the districts’ graduation rate, the doubling of students participating in Advanced Placement classes, double-digit gains on some state tests and twice being cited by the state education department as “a most improved district.” The council said Johnson also led the way in the formation of the Peekskill Education Foundation, a not-for-profit group that raises money for district projects.

The Hall Monitor congratulates Mrs. Johnson. Read on for the official press release.

Peekskill’s Judith Johnson Chosen New York State School Superintendent of the Year by Statewide Superintendents Group

Albany, NY – January 9, 2008 — The State Council of School Superintendents announced today that Peekskill’s Judith Johnson has been named the 2008 New York State School Superintendent of the Year.

Council President Henry Grishman explained, “Judith Johnson was chosen as New York’s superintendent of the year because her colleagues admire her as a champion for children in Peekskill and as a leader in education at the state and national levels.�

Mr. Grishman is superintendent of schools in Jericho, in Nassau County.

Judith Johnson was appointed superintendent of schools for the Peekskill City School District on September 1, 2001, becoming the first woman and African-American to serve as the City’s school superintendent.

Previously, Ms. Johnson served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education and later, Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education under president Bill Clinton, where she aided in the development of national policy addressing the educational needs of America’s 51 million students.

Ms. Johnson is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the American Association of School Administrators, the national organization of professional school district leaders. She also serves as co-chair of the New York Council’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee and previously served as a member of the Council’s Executive Committee.

Despite her high position in the Clinton Administration, Ms. Johnson describes serving as Peekskill superintendent as her most powerful job. She explains, “You are directly involved in the lives of your students and parents. You can touch it, you can feel it, you can see the results of your work.�

In a nominating letter, Dr. Connie Lobur, President of the Board of Education in Peekskill wrote, “Judith Johnson exhibits dedication, energy, innovation and relentless advocacy for children, especially those children who are chronically forgotten or underserved. Eradicating the gross inequalities in education has been the driving purpose of Judith Johnson’s life’s work.�

Ms. Johnson’s leadership of the Peekskill schools has resulted in significant gains:

•In 2004, Johnson attained passage of a $59 million bond referendum to replace an outdated middle school which required a “supermajority� of the public’s vote. Ms. Johnson noted, “The vote became a proxy for determining the degree to which the community supported our leadership goals.�

Ms. Johnson explained, “The building you walk into as a kid sends a message about how much people care about you.� The historic vote brought the high school new science labs – none existed

before her arrival – and a new media center. A new middle school is under construction which includes a competition-sized swimming pool. All buildings received technological and structural upgrades.

•In the past five years, Peekskill City School District has been cited twice as “a most improved district� by the State Department of Education. The graduation rate which was below 60% in 2001 is now at 78%. Peekskill students have achieved double digit gains in performance on many state tests. Participation in Advanced Placement courses has doubled since 2002.

•Ms. Johnson led in the formation of the Peekskill Education Foundation. The foundation is a not-for-profit organization comprised of community members who have raised thousands of dollars in private funds to support district goals. The majority of the funds are distributed to teachers to fund projects that enhance the learning environment for Peekskill students.

Speaking to school staff in her opening speech this past September, Ms. Johnson observed, “Some people spend their entire lives wondering if they made a difference – I can assure each and every one of you – That is not for you to ponder – each day you have an opportunity and an obligation to make a difference in the life of a child.�

Council President Grishman added, “Judith Johnson can rest assured too that she has made a huge difference in the lives of Peekskill’s children.�

The Superintendent of the Year Award was established in 1988 by the American Association of School Administrators and is co-sponsored by Aramark Education, an award-winning company that provides food, facility and other support services to over 650 school districts nationwide.

Ms. Johnson now becomes a candidate for national superintendent of the year, to be awarded at AASA’s National Conference on Education in Tampa in February.

The New York State Council of School Superintendents is the professional organization of school district leaders, providing member services, advocating sound educational policy, and asserting the leadership role of superintendents.