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The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education has announced the appointment of Amy Bartholomew as the district’s next superintendent.

Bartholomew, who is currently the principal of Harry Hoag Elementary School, was appointed at a special Board meeting on June 23 and will begin as the district superintendent on July 1.

The Board of Education invites the community to join in welcoming Superintendent Amy Bartholomew as she begins this important new chapter of service to the Fort Plain Central School District.

“I am truly humbled and deeply grateful to be selected to serve as the next superintendent of Fort Plain Central School District,” said Bartholomew. “Fort Plain has shaped both my personal and professional life, and I understand the responsibility that comes with leading a district that means so much to this community. I am honored by the trust the Board of Education has placed in me and fully committed to serving our students, staff, families, and community with integrity and dedication.”

Amy Bartholomew, a graduate of Fort Plain High School and a lifelong resident of our community, brings over two decades of dedicated experience in education and a strong personal understanding of the district she will now lead.

“The Board of Education believes Mrs. Bartholomew is the ideal superintendent to begin leading Fort Plain in a positive and impactful direction,” said Sara McDuffee, President of the Fort Plain Board of Education. “With over 25 years of educational experience, most of those being right here in her home district, Mrs. Bartholomew has experienced and understands both the growing needs and the incredible assets of our community.  Her dedication to our students makes her the ideal choice to guide our schools into the future.”

The decision to appoint Bartholomew as superintendent was made after deep consideration by the Board of Education.

“We have experienced tremendous change and transition over the last several years in our district leadership. There were many directions we could have gone in for our next district leader, but all roads kept leading us back to Mrs. Bartholomew,” said McDuffee. “The Board is confident that she will be the steady and consistent leader that our community desires and needs as we move forward.”

About Superintendent Amy Bartholomew

Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education from Syracuse University, a Master of Science degree in reading from the University at Albany and a Certificate of Advanced Study in educational leadership from Binghamton University. She holds various professional certifications, including Elementary Education (PK-6), Special Education (Birth-12), School Building Leader (SBL), and School District Leader (SDL).

Of her 25 years in education, Bartholomew has spent 20 serving the Fort Plain Central School District at Harry Hoag Elementary School. Her career has included work with students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in both general education and special education roles. That range of experience has shaped the way she understands student needs, supports staff, and approaches leadership at both the classroom and building levels. In 2024, she was named building principal of Harry Hoag Elementary School.

“Fort Plain is not just where I work. It is where I was born and raised, where I live today, and where I have built my life,” said Bartholomew. “That makes this work deeply personal to me. As superintendent, I will lead with the same values that have guided me throughout my career and my life: a strong work ethic, honesty, thoughtful listening, and a commitment to keeping students at the center of every decision.”

In her new role, Bartholomew plans to take a thoughtful and collaborative approach to district leadership, with attention to both the daily operations of the school system and the long-term planning needed to support continued growth. She will focus on understanding needs across the district, supporting effective practices already in place, and identifying opportunities to strengthen programs, services, and systems for students. Her goal is to help Fort Plain move forward with clarity, consistency, and a shared sense of purpose.

Thank you, Dr. Karen Geelan, for your service to the district

The Board of Education  extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Karen Geelan and acknowledges her service during her tenure as the district’s Interim Superintendent. Dr. Geelan has provided consistent leadership and ensured the continuity of district operations throughout this transitional period. As her interim appointment concludes, the Board extends its thanks for her contributions and wishes her well in her future endeavors.