Rye City Chooses Frank Alvarez As New School Superintendent

Though he won't be formally appointed and introduced to the community until next Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, the announced Thursday that Dr. Frank Alvarez has been selected to take the reins when current Superintendent Edward Shine steps down at the end of June.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Alvarez to Rye and we are confident that he
will be an excellent superintendent for our District,” stated Board of Education
President Laura Slack. “After completing a rigorous superintendent search process, the Board unanimously agreed that Dr. Alvarez is highly qualified and is a great match for our educational goals and philosophies in Rye.”

Dr. Alvarez, currently Superintendent of Montclair (NJ) Public Schools, will be offered a five year contract. In a written statement released Thursday evening, Dr. Alvarez conveyed his response to the offer from Rye City School District.

“I’m honored to be given this opportunity,” said Dr. Alvarez. “Rye is one of the nation’s premier public school districts, and I am committed to helping drive the
district to even greater heights.”

Alvarez began his career as a teacher in 1977 and became a principal by 1986. Since that time, Alvarez has made great strides in areas such as special education initiatives, integration of technology within the curriculum, gifted/talented opportunities for all students,  Mandarin language instruction, and cultural opportunities that enhanced global relations involvement.

He has matriculated at Montclair State University and Columbia University's Teachers College. Currently a resident of River Vale, NJ, Alvarez and his wife, a New Jersey school teacher, have two children.

Anticipating the Board of Education's approval of the new superintendent, a community reception will follow a special meeting at 6 p.m. to vote on the appointment of Dr. Alvarez. The regular board meeting will convene at 8 p.m. as usual.

Alvarez takes the place of Dr. Edward Shine who is retiring in June as district superintendent after 16 years at the helm.

Rye City School District voters recently approved a bond referendum that will pay for renovation and the construction of additional class space at the middle/high school building. In addition to that project, Alvarez will also take on the challenege of administrating the district budget and future goals under the strict guidelines of the recently enacted two percent tax cap on property tax levies in New York State.