Mr. David Carlson has been appointed as the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services.
The Clarkstown Central School District Board of Education made the appointment during a Board meeting on August 29.
“I am excited to have Mr. Carlson take on this new leadership role,” said Martin Cox, Superintendent of Schools. “I have enjoyed working with David in his role as Supervisor of Special Education. His decisions, as well as his visionary ideas about programming and services, are in the best interest of all students. In addition, he is personable, approachable and has strong connections with service providers across the district.”
Mr. Carlson has been employed in the District since 1993, and served as a special education teacher at both Link Elementary School and Felix Festa Middle School for 14 years. He held the position of Educational Technology Teacher Trainer during the 2003-2004 school year. In August 2008, Mr. Carlson became the Co-Chairperson of the Felix Festa Middle School Special Education Department. The following August, he was hired as the District Committee on Special Education Chairperson. In August 2014, Mr. Carlson became the Supervisor of Pupil Services and then the Supervisor of Special Education in the summer of 2017.
“As a former graduate and current employee, I consider it an honor and privilege to serve as the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services for the Clarkstown School District for the 2018-2019 school year,” said Mr. Carlson. “I am excited to take on this new role and to continue collaborating with all district stakeholders to ensure students receive quality programming and appropriate supports to develop the skills necessary to be successful adults.”
As he begins his new role, Mr. Carlson is focusing his efforts in the following areas:
- Supporting the provision of more professional development opportunities for staff
- Continuing to collaborate with building administrators and staff to maximize the effectiveness of existing programs
- Increasing the frequency of opportunities for related services staff and teachers to meet with each other to review best practices and new regulations
- Partnering with other district administrators to support current district strategic goals and initiatives
During Mr. Carlson’s role in 2018-19 as the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services, his former position, Supervisor for Special Education, will be filled with an Interim appointment. The District is ready to begin the interview process for this vacancy.
“We are excited to have David begin his new leadership role,” said Martin Cox. “I look forward to him managing the Special Education Department while also partnering with community stakeholders on behalf of students.”