Rockland Central School District is excited to welcome Ms. Jennifer Gorr as its next superintendent.

Ms. Gorr’s appointment was approved by the board at a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1. She will begin Nov. 1.

Ms. Gorr, a resident of Livingston Manor, holds a bachelor's degree from SUNY Empire State College, a master's in teaching from SUNY Empire State College, and a master's in School Building Administration and Leadership from Mercy College. She is certified in New York as a School District Leader, School Building Leader, and teacher of Students with Disabilities.

She taught Grades 9 through 12 at Sullivan County BOCES and Livingston Manor Central School, and has spent the past 10 in leadership roles in the Monticello Central School District, which serves more than 2,500 students. She began in 2016 as Supervisor of Special Education, then became principal of the St. John Street Pre-K and Alternative High School in 2022. Since 2024, she has served as principal of Monticello High School, a building of more than 800 students.

While at Monticello, she led the design and launch of a district Pre-K program and built an Alternative High School model that achieved a 100% graduation rate. She also secured state approval for Career and Technical Education pathways aligned to workforce demand and long-term fiscal sustainability. 

As principal of the high school, she led significant improvements in safety and climate. Her leadership has produced clear gains in attendance, discipline and academic achievement. She also brings hands-on experience with school budgets and capital projects.

“The board has spent significant time and consideration in finding the next superintendent. This has been a long process,” Board President Alys Mann said during the meeting. “Today we are pleased to welcome Jennifer Gorr to the Rockland Central school District.

Before the appointment, the board also accepted the resignation of school board member Ed Gorr, Ms. Gorr’s husband.

“Ed Gorr recused himself from the hiring process from the beginning,” Ms. Mann pointed out during the meeting. “He was not involved in executive session discussions or interviews with any candidates knowing that his wife applied for the role.”

Board Vice Chairman Gary Dahlman took a moment to thank Mr. Gorr, who served as Rockland’s first board president, for his preparation and dedication to the district, as did members of the audience.

The board discussed possible next steps in filling the vacant seat.

There are three possibilities:

• Appoint a member to fill the seat until the next scheduled election.

• Have an election to fill the remainder of Mr. Gorr’s term, which runs through June 2028.

• If no action is taken, the state will appoint someone to fill the term until the next scheduled election

The board will gather more information on costs and timelines for each of the options and will likely discuss at the next board meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Rockland Elementary School auditorium.

A reception to welcome Ms. Gorr to the district and thank Mr. Gorr for his service was held following the meeting.

A recording of the meeting is available on the district website.