Yorktown CSD celebrates its tenure recipients

The District’s tenure process involves a four-year probationary period (three years for those previously tenured elsewhere in New York State), during which candidates undergo a dozen formal observations and numerous informal check-ins. However, their impact extends far beyond the classroom. These educators have become cherished members of the school community, embracing roles that transcend their responsibilities. 

The tenure recipients were approved by the Yorktown Central School District Board of Education based upon the recommendations of Ron Hattar, superintendent of the Yorktown Central School District. 

At the May 12 school board meeting, Hattar spoke with pride about the recipients and celebrated their commitment to their students. 

“It is with great pleasure and heartfelt congratulations that I stand before you to acknowledge your extraordinary achievements over these last three or four years and to recommend you for tenure,” Hattar said. “Tenure is not merely a title nor a formality. It’s not an endpoint, either. Tenure is earned through a very grueling and rigorous process that demands your very best every day… Only the very best make it to this point, and you should be very proud of yourselves.” 

The following educators have been awarded tenure: 

Brookside Elementary School 

• Joseph Cassarini, Principal 

• Jennifer Campobasso, Certified Teaching Assistant 

• Sue Tajdus, Certified Teaching Assistant 

• Kelly Triolo, Special Education Teacher 

Mohansic Elementary School 

• Donna Amenn, Certified Teaching Assistant 

• Kara McCloat, Art Teacher 

• Sylvia Munson, Certified Teaching Assistant 

• Rachel Newman, Special Education Teacher 

• Katherine Vadala, Special Education Teacher 

Crompond Elementary School 

• Liz Brennan, Elementary Teacher 

• Alessandra Cirillo, Art Teacher 

• Michelle Dilegge, Special Education Teacher 

• Lucia Mills, Certified Teaching Assistant 

• Deanna Piacente, Reading Teacher 

• Valerie Renner, Certified Teaching Assistant 

• Gina Roche, Certified Teaching Assistant 

• Anna Sieminski, Elementary Teacher 

• Victoria Vespucci, Music Teacher 

Mildred E. Strang Middle School 

• Alexis Bramswig, Social Worker 

• Eleni Carlucci, Speech & Language Therapist 

• Danielle Lehner, Special Education Teacher 

• C.J. Riefenhauser, Physical Education Teacher 

Yorktown High School 

• Christine Cacace, Special Education Teacher 

• Cristina Criscione-McCombs, Assistant Principal 

• Annie Darling, Special Education Teacher 

• Marissa Faulkner, Social Worker 

• Samantha Gierlachowski, Special Education Teacher 

• Alexander Kaufmann, Special Education Teacher 

• Ingrid Korn, Special Education Teacher 

• Alexis Moreno, Science Teacher 

• Mirusha Rugova, Special Education Teacher 

• Kristen Soni, School Guidance Counselor 

• Amanda Spiconardi, Health Teacher 

• Ponnu Varghese-John, Social Worker 

District Administration 

• Deirdre Amerling, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction 

• Pamela Chesser, Supervisor of Humanities 

• Lisa Sanfilippo, Assistant Superintendent for Business