Dansville appoints Delhi administrator as next school superintendent. Meet Kelly Zimmerman

Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune
Updated ·2 min read

A veteran Delhi, N.Y. educator will be the next superintendent of the Dansville Central School District.

The Dansville School Board Tuesday named Kelly Zimmerman, a Hornell native and currently superintendent of Delaware Academy Central School, as the district's top administrator starting July 1.

The school board said Zimmerman emerged as the top candidate to lead the Livingston County district known as the Mustangs after a "rigorous selection process," noting her administrative record of "fostering collaborative, student-focused cultures of continuous improvement."

"Selecting a superintendent of schools is, perhaps, the most important decision a school board makes," Dansville School Board President Mary Ann Holden said. "Mrs. Zimmerman stood out as the best fit for Dansville. She is fully aware of the challenges facing our District and is ready to tackle them head-on.”

Kelly Zimmerman, the superintendent of Delaware Academy Central School, named superintendent of Dansville Central School, starting July 1.
Kelly Zimmerman, the superintendent of Delaware Academy Central School, named superintendent of Dansville Central School, starting July 1.

The district said Zimmerman has more than 26 years of experience in education, with a strong background in district leadership. Dansville cited her tenure at Delaware Academy, saying Zimmerman led capital projects to advance STEM learning, the performing arts and safety. Zimmerman also implemented the school's first UPK program and promoted inclusive playgrounds, Dansville officials said.

"I'm honored to have been selected as the next superintendent for Dansville Central Schools," said Zimmerman, a 1991 Hornell High School graduate. "I am looking forward to returning to the region I consider home and joining a supportive community that puts students first."

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Zimmerman holds a Master of Science degree at the specialist level in School Psychology from RIT, as well as a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Niagara University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rural Schools Association of NYS and as president of the DCMO BOCES Superintendents' Association.

Dr. Paul Alioto, who led Dansville as school superintendent for 13 years, retired last November. At that time, the school board appointed Thomas Kopp interim superintendent of schools until the end of the current academic year, June 30.

The Dansville public school system has a K-12 enrollment of 1,226 students.

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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Dansville hires Delhi school administrator to be next superintendent