An ÉðÊ¿Âþ» native is returning to his roots to be principal of his elementary school alma mater, one of four administrative hires recently approved by the City School District of ÉðÊ¿Âþ» Board of Education.
The board appointed Gabriel Barbato as principal of Eagle Point Elementary School. Barbato grew up on Beacon Avenue and attended the former P.S. 27, now Eagle Point Elementary.
Barbato spent the last 16 years working in the Schenectady City School District, six as an administrator. He was assistant principal at Schenectady High School for five years and was the instructional supervisor for Howe Elementary School for the past year. He also taught fourth grade, sixth grade and was a technology specialist for the Schenectady district.
He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from The College of Saint Rose. He also earned his administrative certification at Saint Rose.
Barbato replaces Kendra Chaires-Francis, who is now principal at Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy.
The board also appointed Kerri Canzone-Ball, Ed.D. as the director of Pupil Personnel Services.
Dr. Ball spent the past nine years in the Ballston Spa Central School District, most recently as its director of special education. She also was director of pupil personnel services and special education in the Islip Union Free School District. Before that, she was a special education teacher then assistant director of student support services in the South Country School District in East Patchogue.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, a master’s in teaching from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a doctorate from St John’s University. She earned her administrative certification from Dowling College.
In addition, the board appointed veteran art teacher Kate Wright to a new district position as fine arts supervisor, where she’ll oversee art, music and theater programs throughout the district.
Wright joined the district in 2003 as an art teacher at Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST). She served as chairwoman of the district’s Art Department from 2011-2017 while she continued to teach at TOAST.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Marist College, her master’s degree from Marywood University and her administrative certification from The College of Saint Rose.
Also, the board appointed Rachel Stead as principal of the Newcomer Program, a new district initiative that will serve refugee and immigrant students in grades 6-12 whose English is limited enough to merit extra help in all subjects.
Stead spent the last five years in the Shenendehowa School District as the academic administrator for world languages, English as a new language, and grants. Before that, she worked as executive director of the Capital District Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network and director of the East Region Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Center. She also taught Spanish and English as a second language.
She earned her bachelor's from Siena College and her master's at the University at ÉðÊ¿Âþ». She is pursuing a doctorate in educational theory and practice at the University at ÉðÊ¿Âþ».
The mission of the City School District of ÉðÊ¿Âþ» is to educate and prepare all students for college and career, citizenship and life, in partnership with our diverse community. The district serves nearly 9,700 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at ÉðÊ¿Âþ».
