Rye Schools Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education Leaving for Pelham

(Rye School Director Julia Chung is headed to a new position in Pelham.)

The Rye school system is losing its director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education, Julia Chung. An interim director has been named, and a search is being opened for the replacement. According to the Rye schools web site, the director and the larger function offers "a full continuum of programs and services to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities. In accordance with the student’s Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 Accommodation Plan, programs and related services are provided by NY State certified special education teachers, speech/language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, social workers, and other specialists."

Here is school boss Eric Byrne on the details:

"January 7, 2019

Dear RCSD Parents and Guardians,

I am writing to share the bittersweet news that Julia Chung, our Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education, will be moving on from Rye to accept a position as Assistant Superintendent of the Pelham Union Free School District. While I am happy for Julia as she heads off to the next challenge in her educational career, she will be missed here in Rye. Julia has served the Rye community for 10 years in multiple roles: as Assistant Principal at Rye High School, as Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education, and as Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education for the past three years. Julia will begin her new position in early March.

In order to best serve our community and ensure a seamless transition, Mrs. Laurie Bauer will join us as Interim Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education in early February through the end of the school year.

Laurie retired from the Bedford Central School District in 2014, after serving as Director of Special Education. For the past four years, Laurie has been supporting a number of local school districts through interim pupil personnel services positions and as a consultant. She brings a wealth of experience, having been a special education teacher for 17 years and a special education administrator for over 20 years. Laurie has provided professional development for teachers and administrators on effective IEP goal development, inclusive teaching practices, co-teaching, and special education program development.

To find Rye’s next Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Education, we will engage in a rigorous search process. We will begin advertising the position this month, screen candidates via a thorough resume review, followed by several rounds of interviews with District administrators and a committee of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and support staff. Finalist candidates will participate in school walkthroughs with Ms. Sherri Goffman, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Ms. Elaine Cuglietto, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; and me. I am confident that we will find a strong leader for our school district who will provide excellent support to students and families. Ideally, the new Director will be appointed by the Board and be in place well in advance of the next school year.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Eric Byrne, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools"