By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA-COEYMANS-SELKIRK — There’s a new principal in town.
Denise Capece was appointed to a two-year probationary appointment as the principal of RCS Middle School. The probationary period runs from July 1 of this year to July 12, 2024.
She will earn a salary of $113,000 a year, according to the May 18 resolution appointing her to the post.
Capece replaces former principal Laura Buzas, who resigned in 2021 due to medical reasons.
Capece was initially named the interim principal in August 2021 after Buzas went on medical leave through December 2021.
Buzas eventually resigned from the position due to medical reasons and Capece continued in the interim post as the district launched the search for a permanent replacement in February. The online application period opened March 31 and continued through April 14.
But as things turned out, the district did not have to look further than its own interim principal.
As part of the selection process, Capece was interviewed for the principal’s position by a team of RCS teachers, support staff, parents, and building and district leaders, according to the district website.
The RCS Board of Education unanimously made the appointment official at the May 18 meeting of the board.
“I want to congratulate Mrs. Capece on her appointment as principal for the middle school,” BOE President Teddy Reville said at the board meeting. “I think that throughout the last year she has done a really good job. We have kind of strung her out with three months here and four months there, and I think we finally can unleash all of the potential and good things she has to offer the district. I am really excited to see what she is going to do.”
The appointment was met with applause from the audience.
Capece has over 13 years of leadership experience at both the building and district levels, according to the district website.
She worked in several Capital Region schools and districts, including the Stillwater school district, Capital Region BOCES, Hamilton Fulton Montgomery BOCES and Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.
She worked as both a special education teacher and an administrator.
With her new position, Capece is looking to achieve three specific goals, according to the district website. She is looking to increase and improve communication between the school and families, increase family and community involvement, and improve academic outcomes for all students.
