Brannock passes torch to new Crown Point Central superintendent

CROWN POINT | Long-time Crown Point Central Schools Superintendent Shari Brannock announced her retirement Jan. 20, partly to spend more time with her family, but mainly as a financial play to help assure the small school will survive. Crown Point principal Tara Celotti will move into the superintendent role. Brannock will continue to navigate school budget issues during the transition. Brannock called Celotti "an amazing leader and team player who will do great things for our school and our students. The two have worked as an administrative team for 7 years, which Brannock said will offer the school continuity as it moves forward. "I have taught in almost every room and know every student's name," Celotti said. "I also understand the internal and external family dynamics, classroom climate and Panther culture. Crown Point has been described as a unicorn by many guests to the building. That didn't happen overnight. CPCS is an outstanding school because of the dedication and resiliency of our staff, and because of our fearless leader, Mrs. Brannock, which I hope to continue with the same dignity and grace." Mitch St. Pierre, board president for Crown Point Central, called Brannock "a pioneer in bringing our school to the success that it is now. We spent many years on the state's list of schools in need of improvement. All that has changed now with Mrs. Brannock at the helm. We are now the envy of many schools in our surrounding area, based on our test scores and a learning environment that has created an enthusiasm for our students to come here and for our teachers to be happy to work here." The school district, which gets 70% of its funding from the state, has been hit hard by Covid-related cutbacks to local governments. By retiring, Brannock will save the system money that can be used throughout the system, she said. The small but fiercely independent school, with 321 students in all grades, has a recent history of self-sacrifice — last summer employees gave back $145,000 in anticipated pay raises to help stabilize the school's budget, shortly after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that local governments should expect a 20% cut in state aid. The system has made cuts this year, corresponding with state cuts to the school. The state budget was decimated by this year's pandemic-related economic shutdowns. "We do know that we want to be an amazing school," Brannock said. "Our goal is to remain an incredible place to learn and to protect ourselves." Due to declining enrollments and a lack of funding, other Adirondack schools have been forced to merge or share athletes in order to be able to field a team. Those moves have been emotional for community residents and school staff, but school financial situations have offered little choice. Brannock said she believes Crown Point can weather the current storm. "I'm hopeful, and I know that if anybody can do it we can do it," she said. "We're all in this together, and I hope we can come out of it together."

Signup for our newsletter

Brannock passes torch to new Crown Point Central superintendent

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS