Somers Board of Ed welcomes new superintendent

SOMERS, N.Y. - The Somers Board of Education took a moment recently to not only celebrate the arrival of a new school superintendent but to emphasize the importance of togetherness.

Before trustees voted unanimously at a special meeting on Feb. 25 to appoint Dr. Adam Bronstein, aka Dr. B, to the post, board president Amanda Kandel outlined the vigorous selection process.

“The board truly worked as a team, with the common goal of finding the best leader to drive us forward,” she said.

There were originally 40 plus hopefuls. That pool was winnowed down to eight candidates and then to three. To no one’s surprise, the final A-list was topped by Bronstein.

The board didn’t make its decision in a vacuum either.

It asked stakeholders – both inhouse and the school community – what types of “attributes” they would like the next superintendent to possess. That feedback was passed along to the district’s search firm and then used to establish five specifications.

Boiled down, folks were looking for a leader who was “diplomatic, centered,” “savvy, visionary,” “thoughtful, measured,” “approachable,” and “courageous, trustworthy.”

Kandel explained that’s why trustees felt that Bronstein was “an excellent fit” and would be someone capable of helping the district continue to move – as its motto says – “forward in excellence.”

About Bronstein

A resident of Mamaroneck, Bronstein and his wife, Lilliana, have two daughters, Adriana and Lucia.

He’s held various roles within the Mount Pleasant School District for nearly a decade.

Bronstein started out there as principal of Westlake Middle School, where he introduced the International Baccalaureate’s (IP’s) Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Community Project, a coding course, and a 5th- to 6th-grade transition seminar for students.

He then became the district’s director of curriculum, instruction, and administrative services and then its assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and administrative services.

Once at the district level, Bronstein initiated the development of an AP capstone experience in partnership with Westlake High School’s principal.

As part of his most recent position, Bronstein “led the implementation of curricular initiatives, staff development, contract negotiations, and closely collaborated with the business office on budgeting,” the Somers school board said.

And that’s not all.

Somers’s new superintendent as a Fellow in the New York State Council of School Superintendents Future Superintendents Academy for the 2024-2025 cohort.

Originally from Virginia, Bronstein studied Spanish language and literature at the University of León before going on to earn his bachelor of art’s degree in political science from the University of Virginia.

He holds a master’s degree in elementary education and teaching from Pace University, a master’s in education administration and supervision from Fordham University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration, general from the University of Pennsylvania.

His doctoral dissertation “focused on the interpersonal characteristics and structural conditions that facilitate teacher collaboration.”

Bronstein has spent more than 20 years in education.

According to a bio supplied by the district, Bronstein’s career began in the Washington Heights section of northern Manhattan. He taught a 3rd grade bilingual class and also coached high school football – “imparting valuable life lessons to his students both in the classroom and on the field.”

Bronstein was a teacher and a summer school director for the nonprofit organization Teach for America, his LinkedIn profile said.

Bronstein was a 3rd-grade teacher in the White Plains City School District from 2004-2005.

From 2007-2009, he was a summer high school principal for the Mamaroneck Union Free School District.

Bronstein was also a summer school director within the New York City public schools system.

He has also worked as a K-5 staff development coordinator, a 4th and 5th grade teacher, and a technology coach for the Pelham Public Schools. After he left in 2009, Bronstein became an assistant middle school principal for Ardsley Public Schools.

He remained with that district until 2015.

While at Ardsley, Bronstein designed a “student-centered school mission across stakeholder groups,” his bio said.

These roles have “equipped him with a vast array of skills and insights, Kandel said of the new schools chief.

His experiences in teaching, coaching, administrative leadership, and academic research had “uniquely positioned him to address the evolving needs of students and educators alike,” she said, adding that “his focus on teacher collaboration and professional development underscores his belief in the power of collective effort to enhance student outcomes.”

Word of the Day

Collaboration was the theme of the day as each trustee welcomed Bronstein aboard.

“Dr. B, you got my vote when you were talking about being a football coach in Washington Heights and the compassion and the rigor that you had, all in one. I just thought, ‘Wow, he’s somebody special.’ I think Somers is going to love you,” said Margaret DiLorenzo.

“We can’t wait for you to come to all the football games and to work with you as a group, she added.

DiLorenzo also praised the board as “incredible” and told colleagues that she felt “honored to be amongst all of you during this whole process.”

Dominick DeMartino admitted that he thought the superintendent search was going to be a “long, drawn-out process.”

Bronstein was the first interviewee and “hit the top of everyone’s scorecard.”

“That sort of made it an easy decision,” he said, adding that he was “glad to be part of it” and was looking forward to working forward to working with him “for a long time in the future.”

Dr. Ifay Chang said trustees were literally spoiled for choice because of the number of excellent candidates on offer.

“The process was good for the board, to learn about quality of leadership, what we’re looking for, how do we interact with the superintendent,” he said, pointing out that the current board is “young,” tenure-wise.

“We really learned a lot,” Chang concluded.

Trustee Patrick Varbero echoed that sentiment.

“It was a long process, but a good process. We not only found the best that you could find, but we learned a lot about each other as a board,” he said, adding: “We made a lot of great decisions together.”

Dr. Daryl Mundis agreed.

“This experience really brought us together. A unanimous decision by the seven of us? Had we gone back in time three or four months, and realized that that would happen, I’m not sure many people in this community would have thought that the seven of us could unanimously agree on anything,” he said.

Addressing Bronstein, Mundis said: “It’s really important that the community understands that the seven of us have come together to make this appointment, to have the faith in you to take our kids, our schools, forward together.”

Mundis also hoped that “this is an opportunity to further cement a sense of community in Somers.”

While all the candidates were “fantastic,” Bronstein really stood head and shoulders above the rest, said board vice president Chadwick Olsen.

He wasn’t worried that the feeling wouldn’t be mutual.

“Somers educators, administrators, community members, families, our children – you made it easy for us to sell Somers to Adam,” Olsen said, adding that he knew “whoever was going to come in was just really coming to a great place.”

The search process began last year after then-Superintendent Dr. Raymond Blanche left to lead the Katonah-Lewisboro School District.

Blanch had sought an extension of his five-year contract back in the spring. But, at the last minute, the item was pulled from the board’s agenda without explanation. It was never voted on.

Harry LeFevre, who was the interim director of human resources and student services at the time, stepped in as interim superintendent.

LeFevre applauded the board at the meeting for the “tremendous job” it had done during the search.

Predicting that Bronstein is “going to be a wonderful, wonderful leader,” LeFevre said he felt “very comfortable” that when he left in June that he’ll be turning the position over to “a terrific administrator.”

“That said, I don’t know if it’s a subliminal message, but I got the broken chair tonight,” he joked.

Go Tuskers!

Saying he was “extremely humbled to begin this journey together,” Bronstein thanked board members for their “heartfelt” words and LeFevre for his assistance in what he knows will be “a smooth transition” over the next few months.

“I really look forward to our partnership,” he added.

Bronstein also praised the faculty, staff, and administrators for what they do “each and every day to foster a passionate, engaging, and safe learning environment for our students.”

He didn’t forget to acknowledge the folks who serve on the district’s PTAs, the Somers Education Foundation, its booster club, the Somers Tuskers Arts Rising Stars (STARS), and TEAM Tuskers, its mentoring program.

“Your support for our students through innovative programming, mentoring, grants, and stellar athletics and performing arts programs, is crucial to our continued success as a district,” he said.

Last, but not least, was Bronstein’s message to the district’s families and children.

“The sacred connection between a child and their teacher is unparalleled, one that can provide a spark of curiosity for a future of infinite possibilities,” he said, adding: “It is my commitment that we will continue to preserve and nurture this important relationship.”

Ever the teacher, Bronstein asked if there were any students in the crowd or any who may be watching from home. (Meetings are broadcast live from the SMS’s library.)

“Maybe you can help me with this next part. Throughout my career, I’ve only had bird- and feline-based mascots. So, when I heard that I might have the chance to have a pachyderm-based mascot I got very excited and did a little bit of research about elephants,” he began before listing attributes of the world’s largest land animal that he skillfully paired with his vision for the future.

Elephants are physically strong.

“Together as a school system, we will continue to show strength through our unity.”

Elephants communicate through both sound and body language.

“Together we will continue to regularly communicate with our families about our students’ growth and achievements.”

Elephants rely on social structures and have intense bonds with other elephants.

“Together our faculty and staff will collaboratively support one another to make our schools even better.”

Elephants are highly intelligent and exhibit problem-solving skills, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.

“Together as Somers Central School District we will demonstrate all of these characteristics to develop scientists, mathematicians, engineers, writers, artists, athletes, and much more.”

“Go Tuskers!,” the new schools chief cheered before joining the crowd for conversation and cookies.