Meet New RCSD Assistant Superintendents

Two new Assistant Superintendents have joined the Rye City School District Central Administration. Gabriella O’Connor was appointed Assistant Superintendent for Business and Dr. Betty Ann Wyks is serving as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Ms. O’Connor has taken the post previously held by Mrs. Kathleen Ryan and Dr. Wyks fills the role that Dr. Mary Anne Evangelist held as an interim for two years. Both began their new responsibilities over the summer.

Ms. O’Connor was already a familiar face in the District, having served as Assistant Business Manager in the Central Administration Building since 2011. In this time she has worked closely with Mrs. Ryan in overseeing the business department, making her well-equipped for the role to which she has been promoted. Prior to her start in Rye, Mrs. O’Connor was Administrative Assistant to the Business Official in the Croton-Harmon School District for four years, a portion of which she worked with Mrs. Ryan, who was also employed in Croton-Harmon previously.

Since coming to Rye, Ms. O’Connor has monitored the budget on a daily basis, managing the bidding process and coordinating budgetary adjustments to meet purchasing requirements. She has provided guidance to staff regarding business matters, reporting procedures, and supervised business office staff as well as food services and facilities staff. She has also been heavily involved in the budget, capital project, and federal grant processes. Mrs. O’Connor holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration, and a Master of Science Degree in Education, all from Pace University.

Dr. Wyks, who began her educational career in 1978, has joined Rye after holding leadership roles in New Jersey school districts for over two decades. Most recently, she served as Superintendent of the Riverdale Public School District (a PreK-8 district) for eight years. In this capacity she led her district through the shift to the Common Core Learning Standards, focusing on aligning curriculum and instructional strategies to better meet the needs of the student population and preparing them for the transition to their neighboring high school district. Dr. Wyks has additionally overseen the integration of technology into all grade levels, development of real-life problem-based learning experiences, implementation of a balanced literacy approach at the lower elementary level, revision of the middle school schedule, professional development initiatives, and the cultivation of an overall positive district culture.

Prior to her work in Riverdale, Dr. Wyks was Superintendent of North Caldwell Public Schools in New Jersey for eight years, Principal of Grandview School in North Caldwell for eight years, and Administrative Assistant for Curriculum and Instruction at Fieldstone Middle School in Montvale for three years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Rider University, a Master of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Arts Degree in Education from William Paterson University, and a Doctor of Education Degree from Columbia University Teachers College.