District Announcements

BOARD OF EDUCATION TO APPOINT SUPERINTENDENT DR. LIZZETTE RUIZ-GIOVINAZZI on March 18, 2025

Nyack, New York (March 14, 2025) – The Nyack Union Free School District Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi, Ed.D. as Superintendent of Schools at its next Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 18. After an intensive process, the Board plans to celebrate the culmination of this landmark decision with a reception, following the anticipated vote of confidence Nyack’s trustees are expected to make Tuesday evening.

“We are beyond thrilled to reach this point. We know that Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi’s leadership, vision, characteristics, and proven expertise is exactly what we need for Nyack right now” said Board President Jen Marraccino. “We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi for the incredible work she has already begun as Interim Superintendent during this past year. Her proven level of unwavering commitment, insight, and transformative leadership capacity has already been remarkable. We are confident that the best is yet to come with ‘Dr. LRG’ as our Superintendent of Schools”. 

Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi stepped into the role of Interim Superintendent in July, 2024. Over the past nine months, she has emerged as a fierce and formidable administrator. Prioritizing an agenda to both honor a Nyack-strong history and build her team, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi launched the school year with a RedHawk Ready theme to remember, refresh and reunify Nyack’s staff, bringing back joy to the daily work of educating students. Throughout the year, an emphasis has been placed on recentering the district’s vision and mission. She presented her Leadership Vision to the Board and community in January.  Met with great enthusiasm, she stated her philosophy: “Leadership isn’t about seeking perfection, it’s about caring deeply. When we lead with love, we elevate everyone around us and that’s where true impact is made.” 

With nearly thirty years of experience, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi is an educator, administrator, innovator and thought leader. She began her career as a Social Studies teacher in DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx where she taught all grades and student skill levels, including ELL students and students with special needs. She served thirteen years in Wappingers Falls School District, with focus on cultivating global thinking, mindfulness, social emotional learning and cultural competencies within students and staff. As Dean of Students, she oversaw the creation of a school-wide professional development plan that aligned with the school‘s needs based on student data. She went on to serve as Assistant Principal, then Director of Social Studies, English, ENL, Equity and Libraries before becoming Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Personnel for Carmel Central School District. 

Seeking an environment that paired her zeal for engaging a team approach to systemic change with antiracist and multi-cultural values, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi was drawn to the Nyack Public Schools community. In 2022, she began her service to Nyack’s teachers and students as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. During a time of transition, she offered astute agility with a profound ability to lift up others. 

Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi earned a doctoral degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Fordham University. Her thesis was titled Cultivating Resilience for District Women Administrators of Color as Equity Leaders in Predominantly White Districts. She received a BA in Education from Manhattan College; an MSE in Learning Technology from Mercy College; and holds a Leadership Certification in School Building and District Leadership from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She has provided training and presented across the Mid-Hudson region and is sought after as an educational speaker throughout the State. 

The Board wishes to invite the community to celebrate naming Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi as Superintendent and looks forward to engaging staff, students, and stakeholders as she builds a strategic plan and leads a district-wide culture of love in education.

NYACK PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR OF EQUITY,  K-12 CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2-5-25 (NYACK, NY) -  After a comprehensive search and extensive interview process with nearly fifty applications reviewed, Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi, Superintendent for Nyack Public Schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Audrey Brutus as the district’s new Director of Equity, K-12 Curriculum and Instruction. At the February 4, 2025 Board of Ed Meeting, Dr. Brutus was unanimously appointed and will begin her tenure in the district, effective March 17, 2025. 

The interview committee was composed of representatives from district administration, staff, parent/guardian and stakeholders in the community. The district would like to acknowledge that the committee’s commitment and keen insight throughout the process was vital in finding the right person for this unique position, which is core to the mission and vision of Nyack Public Schools.

Dr. Audrey Brutus is an educator, psychologist, and equity groundbreaker. She has dedicated her expansive career to ensuring all students have access to transformative learning experiences. Throughout the past twenty years, Dr. Brutus has demonstrated commitment to dismantling systemic barriers, fostering inclusive educational spaces, and ensuring that all students thrive. She has directed her energy and expertise to initiatives that have expanded access to mental health services, strengthened school-community partnerships, family engagement, and provided high-quality enrichment opportunities for students with particular dedication to multilingual learners, neurodivergent learners and students of color. Dr. Brutus' personal journey is deeply connected to her professional mission: “As a daughter of Haitian immigrants who arrived in the United States in the 1970s, my personal journey is deeply connected to my professional mission. My parents instilled in me the belief that education was the key to opportunity, resilience, and empowerment.”  

Dr. Brutus began her career in the NYC Department of Education’s Psychology-in-Training program before serving as a school psychologist in both New York City and Rockland County for over a decade. In 2018, she joined Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES as a Culturally Responsive Education Specialist, where she provided training with a focus on equity, cultural responsiveness, and addressing disproportionality in student outcomes. She has worked with school leaders across the region to disrupt systemic barriers, create more inclusive learning environments and implement policies that promote educational justice. She most recently served as Supervisor of English as a New Language and Dual Language Programs; then Supervisor of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Community Engagement in the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.

Dr. Brutus completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Pace University, earning a doctorate in psychology and becoming a licensed bilingual school-clinical psychologist. Her doctoral project focused on mental health within the Haitian community, addressing the unique cultural stigmas and systemic barriers that impact access to care. This research deepened her commitment to ensuring that schools serve as safe, affirming spaces where all students receive the academic and social support needed for success.

It is with immense enthusiasm that Dr. Brutus is welcomed into our school community and the long trajectory of fundamental work towards equity envisioned in Nyack Public Schools more than twenty years ago. “We are beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to have Dr. Brutus join our team! She will be instrumental in developing this new role and building on a culture of love in Nyack Public Schools.” (Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi)

January 28, 2025

Dear Community,

In light of Federal proclamations signed last week under the new presidential administration, I am writing to reaffirm our district’s unwavering commitment to the safety, security, and success of all students, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or immigration status. Immigrant families are part of our beloved community. We will act in unity, with strength, to uphold our mission, vision and policies in Nyack Public Schools.

Commitment to Student Safety and Privacy:

Our schools will always remain safe spaces for learning and growth. No child will be denied access to education based on their immigration status or any other characteristic. We are here to help students, families, and staff navigate these sensitive issues and have taken several steps to provide support.

 Under Federal Law (FERPA, the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act), we cannot and will not share any student’s personal information, including immigration status, without proper legal authorization.

 Partnerships: We are collaborating with local organizations like the Rockland County Immigration Coalition, Center for Safety and Change, and Proyecto Faro to offer resources and
guidance.

 Family Outreach: Our Family Resource Coordinators (FRCs) are hosting “Know Your Rights” events for undocumented families and have resources like “red cards” available to share.
 Staff Training: We are providing a “Know Your Rights 101” session for administrators, school counselors, front office staff, and security personnel.

 Communication: We are establishing a reliable communication chain to reduce misinformation and share updates with families and staff. All district staff received a letter reiterating district safety and security procedures.

Now more than ever, we need each other. Our leadership team and Board of Education stand together to ensure our schools remain safe spaces for all our children. Thank you for your continued partnership.

Yours in Education,
Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools

Click here to view the slide presentation:  1-14-25 Leadership Vision/2025 In Focus

Visit our REGISTRATION page for more information and necessary papers for school registration and UPK.

December 10, 2024

Dear Nyack Public Schools Community and Staff,

We would like to update the community on the Superintendent selection process and as the Board of Education, we are pleased to announce Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi as our final choice for the Superintendent position for Nyack Public Schools. This decision has been carefully determined through a confidential and thorough process that we strongly believe has resulted in identifying the best candidate to lead the school community forward. We are confident that Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi’s leadership, vision, characteristics and proven expertise is what is right for Nyack now.

We want to provide context for why our process that culminated in this determination has been different from previous superintendent selection processes. In reflecting on our past external, competitive searches, we recognize that the results were not what we expected and did not result in long term retention of previous superintendents. Therefore, we knew we wanted to do things differently. 

Over the past six months, we have consulted with an external search firm, multiple local BOCES who have assisted with local searches, and heard about internal-focused searches from NY State and school boards nationwide. We have listened to unsolicited input from many stakeholders. Ultimately, we decided to focus on Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi in her concurrent, critical responsibilities as Interim Superintendent and we as the BOE:

• Developed a list of Desired Characteristics based on prior community and staff input and analyzed them with the performance of Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi
• Monitored her ongoing performance carefully for six months in the role of Interim Superintendent
• Provided a framework of expectations for Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi to deliver a presentation to the Board that focused on her leadership vision
• Conducted an extensive Q&A session following that presentation
• Conducted a formal interview with Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi as a prime candidate
• Arranged an interview for the Nyack Teachers’ Association leadership with Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi

We have concluded that as Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi has actively engaged with an expansive variety of community leaders, inclusive to the great diversity of groups and stakeholders among us, she has earned widespread praise for her communication, accessibility, student-centered approach and leadership in education.

Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi holds an earned doctorate, a distinction achieved by fewer than 44% of superintendents in New York State. Prior to her current role as District Interim Superintendent, Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi served as the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction since beginning her work with us in April of 2022. She was appointed as Interim Superintendent most recently in July of 2024. She has quickly proven her ability to lead and uplift others with her unique set of skills and dedication to Nyack’s mission and vision. Her familiarity with the district’s culture, students, and families positions her to continue fostering progress without delay.

We invite the community to hear about Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi’s leadership vision and participate by asking questions of their own on January 14, 2025 at 6:30pm during a Special BOE Meeting. For additional information about this selection process, timeline, rationale and desired characteristics, please visit the district website’s BOE Update Page.  We would like to thank the school community for your partnership and wish you much health and happiness during this holiday season. 

Sincerely,

The Nyack Schools Board of Education

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View the pdf: 2024-25 District Calendar

PLEASE NOTE THE JUNE 2025 MISPRINTS THAT ARE CORRECTLY INDICATED ON THE PDF VERSION:

- Juneteenth is Thursday, June 19 and SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED (not Friday, June 20th).

- The last day of school is Friday, June 27

- Elementary Schools will close at the following times the last two days of school:

          Thursday, June 26 at 11:45AM

          Friday, June 27th at 10AM

- The Calendar at a Glance has the correct dates

"Collectively as a Nyack Public Schools team, we are ready. RedHawk Ready: Remember, Refresh, Reunify is the guiding theme for 2024-25. We reflect on our past, rejuvenate our strategies, and unite as a community with priority to support each and every one of our students."  - Interim Superintendent Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi  

What does it mean to be #RedHawkReady? RedHawks distinguishing qualities define, differentiate us and resonate deeply with our Nyack Public Schools identity:

• Vision: The Redhawk's sharp sight represents the district's commitment to a forward-thinking approach and equity for students.

• Strength: The Redhawk's power symbolizes the district's resilience and determination to overcome challenges

• Brilliance: The Redhawk's brilliance mirrors the district's pursuit of excellence in education.  

View the full presentation from SCD/ 8-28-24

View the Superintendent's page

July 23, 2024

Dear Families, Staff and School Community,

We hope you are enjoying your summertime, finding ways to keep cool and stay healthy. We want to provide an update regarding the Office of the Superintendent for Nyack Public Schools.

As your Board of Education, we want to make decisions that support renewed vision for our schools and foster healing for the community we serve. We are working together to navigate through this time of significant transition. Our collective focus is to stabilize the district and secure key leadership for the new school year.

With this in mind, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi as Interim Superintendent of Nyack Public Schools.

Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi brings a unique combination of expertise in transformative leadership and doctoral research in cultivating resilience with over twenty eight years of experience in teaching and school administration. She has demonstrated strength of character with a proven track record of educational excellence within our own district, having made a positive impact since she began her tenure with us two and a half years ago as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. She has met the challenges of this past year, bridging trust across relationships with district-wide staff, providing professional development and purposeful programming, stepping up to give administrative support that teachers, directors and principals needed. We are confident in her commitment, distinctive skills and instinctive response to uplift our students, staff and schools.

Dr. Ruiz-Giovinazzi will continue to work closely with a dedicated team of administrators and central office staff to unify organizational leadership and prepare for the opening of schools on September 3rd. Priority is being placed on securing key administration positions, onboarding new administrators and cabinet members, creating a leadership plan and helping to ensure our staff and schools are READY to begin the new 2024-25 school year.

We will keep the community updated with next steps as the school year progresses. Thank you for your partnership in strengthening our resolve for equity, innovation and optimism in Nyack Public Schools.

Respectfully,

Jen Marraccino, Board President

Benny Vásquez, Board Vice President

Jessica Goodman, Board Secretary

Bryan Burrell, Trustee

Michael Mark, Trustee

Elaine Philhower, Trustee

Matt Watson, Trustee

Please refer to our District Registration quick link: https://www.nyackschools.org/registration 

Our District Registrar's Office is open during the summer, Monday through Thursday from 8am to 4pm to receive documentation or make appointments.