On Feb. 25, the board announced the retirements of Daniel Bracey, Bush Elementary School principal; Philip Cammarata, Persell Middle School principal; Maria DeJoy, Fletcher Elementary School principal; and Renee Hartling, Love Elementary School principal.

Kate Benson will transition from her post as assistant principal at Washington Middle school to become Bush Elementary principal; Amanda Sischo will transition from Persell Middle School assistant principal to become the Fletcher Elementary School principal; Connie Foster will transition from her post as JPS coordinator of world languages to become the Love Elementary School principal while Dr. Mike McElrath will transition from Success Academy principal to become Persell Middle School principal. The transitions will take effect July 1.

At the time, Superintendant Dr. Bret Apthorpe, who also announced his retirement this winter, called the wave of retirements an “emotional” situation. Upon their approval by the board, each new principal was given time to address those in virtual attendance of the meeting. John Panebianco, JPS director of human resources, offered brief biographies for each staff member.

Benson was raised in Frewsburg and earned her master’s from SUNY Fredonia in 2018. She entered JPS in July of last year after spending five years in education in Corning. “I’m certainly going to miss the dedicated staff, the students and the families at Washington Middle School,” Benson said. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to continue the student-centered work that is currently taking place at Bush Elementary School.”

Mike McElrath

Amanda Sischo entered JPS in 2006 as a teacher at Bush Elementary. “While I’ll miss my Persell family, I am both humbled and honored to become a part of the Fletcher Falcon team,” Sischo said. “I’d like to thank you for this amazing opportunity. I can’t think of a better way to begin my 15th year with Jamestown Public Schools.”

Foster has been a staff member at JPS since 1990, with a background specializing in Spanish that will serve her well with the student population at Love Elementary, which includes many Spanish speakers. Foster served as the assistant principal at Washington Middle School, and was the principal at Ring Elementary School until 2019 when she was named JPS coordinator of world languages.

“I look forward to working with the students and family and staff in the Love district. I’ve had a long history in the district and I’m very grateful for all of the experiences that I’ve had. I’m excited to be going back to the principalship and especially to be at Love school,” Foster said.

McElrath has also been a staff member at JPS for many years, beginning with a position as coordinator of guidance in 2009. McElrath expressed his regret that the Success Academy was shuttered due to budget difficulties related to Covid-19. “I know our Success Academy community is sad and disappointed with our pending closure,” McElrath said. “I look forward to returning to my middle school roots and working with the people at Persell to continue the fine tradition and reputation they’ve established.”

Board President Paul Abbott thanked all of the new principals for their work and plans for continued success within the district.

Connie Foster

“In the case of Kate and Amanda this is a natural progression and it is very exciting for you,” Abbot said. “With Mike and Connie the circumstances, and Mike addressed it with the suspending of the Success Academy. We don’t like to say closing because we hope that — we believed in the vision and still do, and we believe in Mike’s leadership there. It is just the times and the circumstances didn’t allow it (to continue).”

The transitions come at a difficult time as the district and others around the country struggle with budget shortfalls and cuts in state aid due to Covid-19. “We are all a little nervous about what is going to happen in the fall,” Abbot said. “We all have the upmost confidence in what you will do for us as we go through these changing times.”

Kate Benson