Port Chester has named a new principal for the King Street School: Samuel Guy Ortiz, who comes from New York’s PS 154 in Brooklyn and lives in Rye Brook.
PS 154 had the best fourth-grade ELA tests in the borough, according to Port Chester’s announcement. The school has been praised as environmentally friendly and is no stranger to budget cuts.
The Port Chester school board made the appointment Thursday night:
“Mr. Ortiz possesses a strong background of successful elementary education leadership that will benefit our students for years to come,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Edward A. Kliszus in recommending Mr. Ortiz to the Board. “Mr. Ortiz was the unanimous choice of the interview committee let by Frank Fanelli,” he added. “After interviewing him myself, I enthusiastically concurred with the committee’s choice.”“I want to thank the Board for the opportunity to join the administrative team. As a resident of Rye Brook with two pre-school aged children who will eventually attend the Port Chester schools, I am both professionally and personally invested in the success of our school district,” said Mr. Ortiz.
Mr. Ortiz joins the district having seven years of administrative experience in the New York City schools. Since 2007, he has been principal of PS 154 in Brooklyn, which earned the best test scores of all Brooklyn elementary schools on the state 4th grade ELA and math exams. He brings experience using a standards-based, balanced approach to teaching literacy and math and has implemented a variety of strategies for addressing the needs of at risk student populations while ensuring enrichment programs that challenge and engage all students.
Mr. Ortiz also has extensive experience in school-based budgeting and the management of resources. By working closely with parents and the community, he has managed to continuously improve academic and enrichment programs, despite cuts to school budgets in each of the last four years.
Mr. Ortiz received his undergraduate degree from SUNY New Paltz and was awarded a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Pace University.
