NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - North Salem schools have a new superintendent and a new head of pupil personnel services.
The Board of Education voted unanimously last week to permanently appoint as schools chief Dr. Adam VanDerStuyf, who has been acting superintendent since July 22 after then-Superintendent Dr. Duncan Wilson was placed on administrative leave.
The vote to hire Kelly Rudyk as PPS director was also unanimous.
Rudyk, currently the assistant director of pupil personnel services with the Yorktown Central School District, starts on Nov. 18. VanDerStuyf started on Oct. 23.
According to VanDerStuyf, Rudyk’s educational experience includes serving as an English teacher, a special education teacher, a Wilson Reading System practitioner.
She’s held “multiple roles of increasing responsibility, including that of an instructional leader, a CSE chairperson, and a supervisor of special education,” he said.
“We are excited to have Kelly join our team and the North Salem Central School District Community,” VanDerStuyf said.
Honored to serve as the superintendent of the North Salem Central School District, VanDerStuyf said it was “a responsibility that I take very seriously.”
“I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve our students, families, faculty, and staff. North Salem is a special place,” he added.
The school board also unanimously voted to approve a formal separation agreement with Wilson and formal hiring agreements with VanDerStuyf and Rudyk.
The district confirmed that Wilson has resigned and that both it and the former superintendent agreed that it was in each’s best interests to part ways.
In making the announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 23, BOE President Kurt Guldan pointed to VanDerStuyf’s previous positions during his 15 years with the district: deputy superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent of pupil personnel services, and director of pupil personnel services.
Wilson had been appointed to the post last year following the retirement of longtime superintendent Dr. Kenneth Freeston.
Prior to coming to North Salem, the Scarsdale resident was assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Ardsley Union Free School District. Before that, he was director of instruction and human resources in the Briarcliff School District.
Wilson could not be reached for comment.
Guldan also noted at the Oct. 23 meeting that VanDerStuyf “has fostered numerous relationships with members of the community, staff, teachers, parents, and students and thoroughly understands the culture of the North Salem School District.”
He concluded by saying the board aims to create “the best educational environment and opportunities for our students at all grade levels” and believes that VanDerStuyf’s appointment “is in the best interest of the district.”
Thanking board members for their “confidence,” VanDerStuyf said was “honored and thrilled to be here.”
“I love this place and I treat it like my own community,” he said.
Trustee Carolyn Aversano told VanDerStuyf that she agreed that he loved the district.
“That comes through loud and clear in every single encounter we have with you and I’m really look forward to seeing you put your stamp on our vision and our culture,” she said, adding: “Congratulations, well deserved.”
Trustee Frances Havard echoed that sentiment.
“Congratulations to Adam. We are really excited to work with you as a board this year,” she said.
The district has never publicly disclosed the reasoning behind its decision to place Wilson on administrative leave.
Parents had raised concerns about what they called a lack of transparency and lack of information on how the superintendent search was progressing.
The district directed all questions about the matter to Guldan. He responded to this newspaper’s inquiries in July that the board could not comment on personnel matters.
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