Scotchtown Elementary has new principal

Interim principal appointed at Goshen High School GOSHEN — The Goshen Central School District has appointed two new administrators for the 2011-12 school year. Amy Peluso was named principal of the Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School, while James Polunci will serve as interim principal at the Goshen High School until a permanent replacement is found. Peluso began her first day as principal on July 5. She replaces Daria Murphy, who retired after 12 years in the position. Peluso received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Mount Saint Mary College, followed by her master’s degree. She then received her administrative certification from Long Island University. Before coming to Goshen, Peluso spent 11 years at the Minisink Valley Central School District, where she began her career as a special education teacher at the Minisink Valley Intermediate School. In 2008, she became assistant principal of the school. “I wanted to transition into a principal position in order to have a broader impact on students, families and the community,” said Peluso. “Goshen has a wonderful reputation, and as a Goshen resident, I’m already invested in the schools and community as a whole.” During her first few months, Peluso plans to acclimate herself to the district and get to know the students, faculty, and parents. “It’s my goal to better understand the culture of the Goshen Central School District and to contribute to the learning process of our students,” she said. So what does the new principal look forward to the most? “I look forward to building relationships with people,” she said. “So much of this job is about who you are as a person and how you treat people. It’s about having relationships and being involved in the educational process by allowing everyone to become invested and involved.” 'Being around kids keeps you young’ James Polunci will serve as interim principal of the Goshen High School until a permanent replacement is found. He is filling the position of Robert Litz, who retired in June and had served as principal of the high school since 1995. District officials plan to find a permanent principal by Thanksgiving. Polunci has 44 years of experience in education — but becoming a teacher wasn’t his initial career goal. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Castleton State College with the intention of going to medical school. But he decided that teaching was a much better fit. He received a master’s degree in educational leadership and did his graduate work at SUNY Albany. He then began his teaching career at Argyle Central School District in upstate New York, where he taught chemistry, physics and general science to students in grades 7 through 12. He also met a physical education teacher, Daniel Connor, who now serves as superintendent of Goshen Schools. Polunci then worked for the Schuylerville Central School District as assistant principal of the Junior-Senior High School, and then Stillwater Central School District as principal of grades 6 through 12. After that he became superintendent of Edmeston Central School District, a position he held for 10 years until his retirement in 2003. But Polunci couldn’t stay out of the game for long. The very next day, he began his first interim position. In fact, he’s held eight interim positions in the past eight and a half years. “I like to keep my hands in teaching,” he said. “I love working with teachers and students, and being around kids helps keep you young.” As interim principal, Polunci looks forward to meeting, interacting and exchanging ideas. “I look forward to getting to know the faculty and staff, supporting them in their endeavors and helping them excel,” he said. “With 44 years of experience, I have seen a lot of great things in my career and am in a position where I can share those ideas and practices with my new colleagues.” Source: Goshen Central School District www.gcsny.org

So much of this job is about who you are as a person and how you treat people. It’s about...allowing everyone to become invested and involved.” Principal Amy Peluso, Scotchtown Elementary School