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The selection of Selesnick, who previously served as principal at Horace Greeley High School, was announced by Katonah-Lewisboro in a press release that went out late Friday afternoon.
“The Board believes that Andrew will be a strong educational leader for our school system,” Katonah-Lewisboro School Board President Marjorie Schiff said in a statement. "Before we began our search for a new superintendent we asked the community for its views on the characteristics that would make a good superintendent for KLSD and Andrew possesses these qualities. We are confident that our school community will be impressed with him once they get a chance to meet and work with him.”
The district used outside firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA) for the search process, which was conducted over the fall and winter. Public input was sought, both in person and through an online survey, to ascertain desired traits for the next top administrator.
In a letter to staff and families dated Feb. 6, Schiff noted that there were 40 candidates who either applied for the position or were recruited.
"We believe Andrew will provide the district with respected and stable leadership while addressing the needs and issues identified in the Leadership Profile Report developed at the outset of our search process," Schiff stated in the letter. "We are confident that every stakeholder group will agree with our assessment after coming to know him."
Selesnick has spent 23 years working in Chappaqua, a biography provided states, with time as an English teacher having been his earlier role. His biography adds that he holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Tufts University, has completed a future school administrators' academy offered through Columbia University and BOCES, and is currently involved in the Education Policy Fellowship Program offered through Columbia's Teachers College.
The school board is scheduled to vote on Selesnick's appointment at a special meeting on Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is set to be held at the John Jay High School library. He is expected to begin his tenure in Katonah-Lewisboro on July 1, which is the official start of the 2015-16 school year.
If appointed, it will mark the end of a year-old saga. The post initially became vacant in late January 2014 due to the sudden departure of Paul Kreutzer, Daily Voice previously reported.
Michael Jumper, the district's Assistant Superintendent for Business, was superintendent interim basis for the rest of the 2013-14 school year, while John Goetz, who was previously John Jay High School's interim principal, has filled the role temporarily since last July.
Selesnick could not be reached for comment.
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