Maryland Educator

CCS Superintendent

Millbrook Native Sarah Spross Due March 1

By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

COOPERSTOWN –  Sarah Spross, an assistant superintendent in the State of Maryland Department of Education, will become the Cooperstown Central School District’s new superintendent March 1 – or sooner.

“We hope sooner,” said school board President Tim Hayes this morning.  He said it would give her more time to be introduced to her new responsibilities by the interim superintendent, Romona Wenck.

Spross, originally from Millbrook, Dutchess County, will succeed Bill Crankshaw,who resigned in August to lead the Greater Johnstown School District in his hometown.

“She was almost over-prepared,” Hayes said of Spross’ interview for the job, “which showed her commitment and drive to be in this community.  And that, in addition to her great resume.”

In Maryland, Spross is assistant superintendent for the state Division of Educator Certification & Program Approval. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education & teaching from Goucher College in Baltimore, and a master’s degree in educational leadership & administration from Maryland’s Towson State University.

“I am excited to return to a community that has a strong commitment to education,” she said in a statement released by the school board. “It is my goal for all students to have opportunities that prepare them to be college or career ready, and to serve as contributing members of society.”

Responsible for educator certification and program review, the new superintendent has over 25 years of experience as a special education teacher, lead teacher, assistant principal, and education director for schools in Maryland, New Jersey, and Florida.

ONC BOCES District Superintendent Catherine Huber advised the search, which was started b her predecessor, Nick Savin, who retired in September 2020.

The search included a number of candidate, who underwent in-person interviews, with finalists spending day meeting teachers and parents locally.  They also made a “capstone presentation.”