Superintendent Katherine Sullivan to Retire At End of School Year
On April 7, 2011 the Board of Education approved, with much regret, the retirement of Katherine Sullivan, Superintendent of Schools, effective end of day June 30, 2011. Dedicated to the Greater Johnstown School District for 41 years, Mrs. Sullivan embodies a wealth of educational experience and knowledge that will not be easily replaced. In addition, her caring nature, upbeat attitude, unending energy and commitment to the students and staff will be sorely missed.

Joining the district in September, 1970, Mrs. Sullivan enjoyed a position as an elementary school teacher at Glebe Street School for 26 years. During that time she also served as director of recreation (1978-1996); cheerleading advisor (1979-1986); principal for the elementary summer program (1991-1999) and principal of K-12 summer school (1995).

In September, 1996, Mrs. Sullivan was appointed principal of Pleasant Avenue School, serving in that capacity for three years. At the same time, she also initiated the after school enrichment program and, in subsequent years, served as an advisor to that program.

In 1999 she was awarded the position of assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, where she successfully secured numerous grants for the district, allowing for the expansion and improvement of educational opportunities for Johnstown students.

On April 2, 2008, the Board of Education unanimously chose Mrs. Sullivan to assume the reigns as superintendent of schools effective July 1 of that year. With that appointment, she became the first female superintendent since the Johnstown School District’s inception in 1895. This is recognized with some historical distinction, given Johnstown’s association with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a leader of the early women’s rights movement.

Throughout her tenure as a teacher and administrator within the district, Mrs. Sullivan was actively involved with a variety of other school-related endeavors. She was at one time the Johnstown Teachers Association president; a member of the New York State United Teacher’s legislative assembly; Central Council PTA president (as well as holding various other PTA positions); coordinator for NYS grade 4 science test; a district science curriculum committee member; new teacher orientation organization committee member; building safety team member; district curriculum council member; and intramurals instructor.

In the words of Marian Wright Edelman (American lawyer & social activist), “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan, for improving the lives of Johnstown students for so many years and for leaving the Johnstown School District a better place than you found it!

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