Dr. Kathleen Davis will be Waterville Central School District’s interim superintendent.
Davis will fill in for at least the rest of 2020 as the WCS Board of Education continues its search for a permanent replacement. The vacancy comes as of July 1 with the retirement of Chuck Chafee.
Also approved at a special board meeting last week was the appointment of Memorial Park School Principal Maureen Gray as acting superintendent. Gray will assume that role until Davis’ appointment is approved by the NY State Education Department.
Davis comes to Waterville after serving as interim Executive Principal in the Oneida City School District. She has also served as the interim superintendent in the Canastota district after her retirement as superintendent in Holland Patent after 14 years.
Because she is retired, Davis has to get a waiver by the state to work in Waterville. Gray will cover the gap between July 1 and when the waiver is granted for Davis.
Gray will continue her duties as MPS principal while filling in as superintendent.
The WCS Board of Education approved the plan last Thursday. “We are grateful to have two accomplished leaders available to guide our District during this time of transition,” said Stephen Stanton, president of the board. “We will continue our search for the next superintendent of schools, as we seek a dynamic leader who will demonstrate creative leadership, further our district’s legacy of quality educational programs, emphasize social/emotional well-being and help prepare each student to be a successful and productive contributor to society.”
Waterville had a finalist candidate in February who spent a day in the district that ended with a community forum.
After feedback from district stakeholders the board decided to reopen the search. Soon after the Covid-19 shutdowns began and the search was put on hold.