Cheektowaga Central School District

The District offices are located 3600 Union Road in Cheektowaga. The current Superintendent is Mr. Scott Zipp. Current Administrators • Mr. Scott Zipp–Superintendent • Mr. Michael P. Fatta–Director of Human Resources • Mrs. Karin Cyganovich–Director of Learning • Mr. Bruce Vona–Director Transportation/Buildings and Grounds • Ms. Laurie Widman–School Business Administrator • Mrs. Erin Weir–Director of Pupil Services • Mr. Michael Amici–District Coordinator of Technology • Mr. Gregory Witman–Director of Athletics == District history ==

The town of Cheektowaga had many multiple districts. In 1956, five districts (Union, Losson, Pine Hill, Alexander, and Cayuga) merged to form the new Cheektowaga Central School District. Former Superintendents Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Dr. Earl J. Boggan–1956-1969 (Principal - Pine Hill High School, retired, named Coordinator of Secondary Education of D'Youville College) • Dr. Omer Renfrow–1969-1976 (Principal - Thornton Township High School, retired) • Dr. Andrew P. Mulligan–1976-1987 (unknown, retired) • Dr. Leslie B. Lewis–1987-2003 (Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired) • Mrs. Delia Bonenberger–2003-2010 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired) • Mr. Dennis M. Kane–2010-2016 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired) • Mrs. Mary A. Morris–2016-2021 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired) • Mr. Steven L. Wright–2021-2022 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired) == Cheektowaga Central High School ==

Cheektowaga Central High School is located at 3600 Union Road and serves grades 9 through 12. The current principal is Mr. Joshua Strzelec and the current assistant principals are Mrs. Alexandra Celeste and Mr. Micah Hanford. History Cheektowaga Central High School opened on September 7, 1960 and was dedicated on April 23, 1961. Former principals Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Mr. Charles S. Allgeier–1960-1969 (Vice Principal - Depew High School, retired) • Ms. Bertha K. Dauer–1969-1977 (Vice Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired) • Mr. Robert C. D'Angelo–1987-1989 (Assistant Principal - Royalton-Hartland High School, named Assistant Principal of Pembroke Junior/Senior High School) • Mr. James G. Christmann–1989-1993 (Assistant Principal - Kensington High School, named Principal of Pine Hill Middle School) • Mr. George W. Radka–1993-2000 (Principal - Cheektowaga Middle School, retired) • Mr. Steven L. Wright–2000-2007 (Vice Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School,) • Mrs. Susan L. Cain–2007-2014 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga Central High School, retired) • Mr. Scott Zipp–2014-2021 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Assistant Superintendent of Cheektowaga Central School District) • Mrs. Karin S. Cyganovich–2021-2025 (Physics teacher - Cheektowaga High School, named Director of Learning of Cheektowaga Central School District) Former assistant principals Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Ms. Bertha Dauer–1960-1969 (Secondary Supervisor - Pine Hill High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School) • Mr. Jack P. Beck–1969-1970 • Mr. H. Kenneth Salenger–1970-1974 (unknown, named Principal of New Paltz High School) • Dr. Leslie Lewis–1974-1977 (Chemistry teacher - New York City Schools, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School) • Mr. Joseph T. McCarthy–1974-1987 (Dean of Students - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired) • Mrs. Christine A. Malarkey–1987-1998 (Social Studies teacher - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Pupil Services Director of Cheektowaga Central Schools) • Mr. Steven Wright–1998-2000 (Math teacher - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School) • Mrs. Gretchen Sukdolak–2000-2005 (Art teacher - Pembroke Junior/Senior High School, named Assistant Principal of Union East Elementary School) • Mrs. Susan Cain–2005-2007 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary School, named Principal of Cheektowaga High School) • Mr. Micah Hanford–2007-2009 (Math teacher - Niagara Falls High School, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School) • Mr. Scott Zipp–2009-2014 (Biology teacher on Special Assignment - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga High School) • Mr. Michael Fatta–2014-2021 (Physical Education teacher - Cheektowaga High School, named Director of Human Resources of Cheektowaga Central School District) • Mr. Patrick Cullinan–2018-2020 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School) • Mr. Joshua Strzelec–2022-2025 (Assistant Principal - Clarence Middle School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Central High School) == Cheektowaga Middle School ==

Cheektowaga Central Middle School is located at 3600 Union Road and serves grades 5 through 8. The current principal is Dr. Christopher Salinas and the current assistant principal is Dr. Katie Daniels. Academics Cheektowaga Central Middle School offers core academics and exploratories including Fine Arts and Family/Consumer Sciences, as well as an advisement program called Success Through Academics, Character, and Knowledge (STACK). History Cheektowaga Central Middle School was formed in 1989. Previously, grades 7 and 8 were housed at Cheektowaga High School. From 1993-2003, both the high and middle school shared principals and other staff until the middle school was reborn in 2003. An addition was built onto the east wing of the school to accommodate the new middle school in 2003. The current Cheektowaga Central Middle School opened on September 3, 2003 and was dedicated on November 20, 2003. Former Principals Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Mr. George W. Radka–1989-2000 (Vice Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired) • Mr. Thomas J. Lyons [interim]–2022 Former Assistant Principals Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Mr. George Radka–1977-1989 (Guidance Counselor - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School) • Mr. Steven Wright–1998-2000 (Math teacher - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School) • Mrs. Cheryl Buggs–2000-2003 (Dean of Students/Athletics - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Central Middle School) • Mr. Brian Bridges–2003-2007 (Social Worker - Union East Elementary School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Central Middle School) • Mrs. Maureen George–2007-2009 (English teacher - City Honors School, named Director of Learning for Cheektowaga Central School District) • Mr. Micah Hanford–2009-2016 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Central Middle School) • Mr. Frederick J. Hahn–2016-2017 (Dean of Students - Global Concepts Charter School, named Teacher in Residence at Buffalo United Charter School) • Mr. Gerald P. Carroll [interim]–2017-2018(6th grade teacher - Cheektowaga Central Middle School, returned to position) • Mrs. Elizabeth Zaccarine–2018-2020 (Assistant Principal - St. Mark's School, named Principal of Woodrow Wilson Elementary School) == Union East Elementary School ==

Union East Elementary School is located at 3550 Union Road and serves grades K through 4. The current principal is Mrs. Melissa Mitchell and the current Assistant Principals are Ms. Julia Hamels and Ms. Monique Jackson-Smith. History Union East was built and opened on September 4, 1968. The school was dedicated on May 4, 1969. Former principals Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Mrs. Ruth P. Peters–1968-1986 (Principal - Alexander Elementary School, retired) • Mr. William E. Koepf–1986-1995 (Principal - Alexander Middle School, retired) • Mrs. Alison J. Caputy–1995-2000 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary, named Principal of Pine Hill Primary School) • Ms. Kathleen M. Rudewicz–2000-2009 (Principal - Pine Hill Primary School, retired) • Mrs. Gretchen Sukdolak–2009-2013 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School) • Mr. Brian Bridges–2013-2016 (Principal - Cheektowaga Middle School, placed on leave and named Social Worker at Harvey Austin School) Selected former assistant principals Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Mrs. Carolyn J. Nieset–1989-1991 (Co-principal - Pioneer Elementary School, named Principal of John A. Sciole Elementary School) • Mrs. Nancy Littenberg–1992-1994 (Teacher - North Tonawanda City School District, named Principal of Ledgeview Elementary School) • Mrs. Kathleen Rudewicz–1994-1995 (unknown, named Principal of Pine Hill Primary School) • Mr. Benjamin Spitzer–1995-1998 (Psychologist - Salamanca City School District, named Principal of A.J. Schmidt Elementary School) • Ms. Mary Beth Muldowney–1998-1999 • Ms. Mary Morris–2000-2002 (Guidance Counselor - Cheektowaga High School, named Associate Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Cheektowaga Central School District) • Mrs. Susan Cain–2002-2005 (1st Grade Teacher - Pine Hill Primary School, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga High School) • Mrs. Gretchen Sukdolak–2005-2009 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Union East Elementary School) • Mrs. Melissa Mitchell–2009-2016 (6th grade teacher - Cheektowaga Middle School, named Interim Principal of Union East Elementary School) • Ms. Shannon L. Thurston [interim]–2016-2017 (Teacher - Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, named Assistant Principal of Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center) • Mr. Patrick Cullinan–2017-2018 (Assistant Principal - Pine Hill Education Center, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga High School) • Mrs. Katie Sclafani–2020 (2nd Grade teacher - Niagara Charter School, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School) • Mrs. Stephanie Anderson–2020-2025 (Special Education teacher - Sciole Elementary School, named Principal of Charlotte Sidway Elementary School) == Defunct Schools ==

Pine Hill Education Center Pine Hill Education Center was located at 1635 East Delavan in Buffalo, New York and served grades PK through 12 History Pine Hill opened as Pine Hill Elementary School in September 1971. The cornerstone was laid on May 19, 1971 and the school was dedicated on June 1, 1972. The school served elementary Grades K-6 and later a middle school serving grades 5-6. Pine Hill closed as an elementary school in 2011, and was restructured as the district's alternative education program. The alternative program, opened in 2011, served students who were referred from the Cheektowaga Middle and High Schools in need of a smaller, more structured learning environment. In 2018, the school was closed, and the alternative education program was moved to the high school campus's A-Wing. The building now houses the EDGE Academy from Erie 1 BOCES. Former Principals Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses • Mr. Robert J. Schlageter–1960-1986 (Principal - Losson Road School, retired) • Mr. Frank G. Cantie–1986-1993 (4th grade teacher - Union East Elementary School, retired) • Mr. James G. Christmann–1993-1994 (Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Royalton-Hartland High School) • Mrs. Alison Caputy–1994-1995 (Teacher - Charlotte Cross Elementary School, named Principal of Union East Elementary) • Mrs. Kathleen Rudewicz–1995-2000 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary, named Principal of Union East Elementary) • Mrs. Alison Caputy–2000-2009 (Principal - Union East Elementary, retired) • Mr. Steven Wright–2009-2018 (Director of Pupil Personnel Services - Cheektowaga Central School District, named Chief Technology Officer of Cheektowaga Central School District) • Mr. Patrick Cullinan–2016-2017 (Math teacher - Harriet Ross Tubman School, named Assistant Principal of Union East Elementary School) ==Selected former administrators==

• Denotes interim appointment and/or TOSA == Notable alumni ==

• Matthew Barr (Class of 2024)–Minor-league baseball player for the Minnesota Twins • Ryan Ciminelli (Class of 2004)–PBA bowler • William J. Hochul Jr. (Class of 1977)–First gentleman of New York State • Joshua Strzelec (Class of 2009)–Cheektowaga High School Principal • Dominick Welch (Class of 2017)–Professional basketball player == References ==