SOMERS, N.Y. - Already a wearer of many hats, one Somers educator is getting ready to try one more on.
Meghan Febbie, who has been the school district’s assistant director of special services since 2024, will become its new director of pupil and personnel services on July 1.
(The current director, Stacey Elconin, is retiring at the end of this school year.)
The Board of Education, at the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Adam Bronstein, last month appointed Febbie to the post.
“I’m super excited to continue in the district and move it forward in excellence,” Febbie said.
Calling the search process “extensive,” Bronstein thanked the hiring committee and the folks who had taken part in the district’s feedback survey.
“We heard from many within the community and were able to prioritize the needs for the students we serve based upon the results of this survey,” he wrote in a letter to the school community.
“Through these results, it was clear that a track record of advocating for students’ needs and resources, and a proven ability to collaborate effectively and transparently with children and families were among the most valuable skills desired in the next director of PPS here in Somers,” Bronstein added.
DECADES OF SERVICE
Febbie is an experienced educational administrator who has more than a decade of leadership experience in special education and student services and nearly 25 years of service across multiple school districts in the state.
Prior to coming to Somers, she was a director of special education, a districtwide special education administrator/principal, and a director of pupil personnel.
According to Bronstein, Febbie brings a “demonstrated expertise in the development, implementation, and evaluation of special education and Section 504 programs to this position.”
(A Section 504 Plan is a legally binding, school-developed document under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that provides accommodations to students with disabilities and ensures equal access to education.)
He also praised Febbie as “a strong advocate for students, with extensive experience supervising staff and facilitating meaningful professional development” and said she has a proven track record of “collaborating effectively with BOCES, supporting out-of-district placements, and overseeing comprehensive student services.”
And she did all that “while maintaining a clear focus on student-centered outcomes,” Bronstein noted.
Febbie has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Marist College, where her studies concentrated on counseling and community research.
She holds an advanced certification in school psychology as well as multiple state certifications in school psychology and administration.
Febbie prepared for school district administration roles at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
The hunt for her replacement as assistant director of pupil personnel services is already underway.
ELCONIN APPRECIATED
Bronstein said the district was “deeply grateful” for Elconin’s “leadership and dedication throughout her career in Somers” and for the role she has played “in ensuring a smooth transition throughout the search process.”
Last October, Elconin announced her intention to retire after a 29-year run in Somers and said it had been “both a privilege and a joy to serve the Somers community – a place that has truly become my home and my heart.”
Grateful for being able to “work alongside such dedicated educators, staff, and families,” she recalled their being able to build “programs and services that support our students in meaningful ways.”
Before becoming the director of special services, Elconin had held a number of positions, first as a fifth-grade teacher at Somers Intermediate School in 1997 who partnered with special education teachers and then later as a kindergarten teacher at Primrose Elementary School.
In 2010, she transitioned into administration, becoming assistant principal and then principal at SIS.
NEVER GETS OLD
Febbie, who has a “real passion” for special needs work, said she really appreciates the chance to continue supporting children, staff, and family members.
She oversees IEPs for students ranging in age from three to 22 and also serves on the district’s pre-school committee.
It never gets old for Febbie.
“I never know what the day’s going to bring, and that’s why I love it,” the mom of two told Halston Media recently.
Programs under her team’s care are collaborative and “student-centered,” she said, adding that they strive to make sure all students “feel included, that they belong” and “have a chance to grow.”
SMS PRINCIPAL MOVING ON
In mid-March, the Board of Education accepted the resignation of Jennifer Mangone as principal of Somers Middle School, effective June 30.
In a letter, Bronstein revealed that Mangone was leaving “in order to pursue other leadership opportunities.”
“Over the past six years, Ms. Mangone has been a dedicated member of the Somers Middle School community, serving first as assistant principal and then as principal,” he wrote, noting that she had overseen the implementation of the WIN (What I Need) period, the Middle Years Program and the Community Project.”
Thanking Mangone for her service, Bronstein said the district appreciates her support in “ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition.”
The search for a new SMS principal has begun, he said, promising that the district “will be in touch soon with opportunities to provide input as part of the hiring process.”
On March 25, Pelham schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ and Board of Education members welcomed Mangone as the next principal of Siwanoy Elementary School.
Throughout the interview process, Mangone was “incredibly impressive, showcasing so many skills,” Champ said, adding that during those conversations with stakeholders, her “authenticity and genuineness came through.”
She also telegraphed her desire to find a school “that she can lead forward in being very growth-minded in all that she does,” Champ said.
When talking with references, the superintendent heard lots about “relationships,” “connection,” innovation, and the desire to “be continually learning.”
One of those references praised Mangone as “a sponge when it comes to feedback.”
She eagerly seeks feedback then looks for ways to immediately put it into practice and is someone who approaches the job “as a learner first” while being “a leader at the same time,” Champ said.
Mangone, the mother of four, is also a “fellow parent,” the superintendent noted.
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