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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2009Contact: Ron Lesko(518) 475-6065rlesko@albany.k12.ny.us 
Albany Superintendent of Schools Eva Josephto retire at the end of the school year
ALBANY, N.Y. – City School District of Albany Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D.,will retire after the current school year, ending a 32-year career in public education that includedthe last five in charge of an urban district that has shown strong progress under her leadership,Board of Education President Barbara Gaffuri announced Wednesday.Dr. Joseph, who began her career as an educational audiologist and teacher of the hearingimpaired in her hometown of Utica in 1977, will serve through July 10 as superintendent. The board will conduct a national search for its next superintendent, Mrs. Gaffuri said.“Dr. Joseph has been a tireless advocate for our children, our families and our schools, andfor urban education more broadly,” Mrs. Gaffuri said. ““We will miss her spirit, her strong presence and her expertise.“She has been an outstanding leader for our district in every way, and because of her hardwork and dedication we are well-positioned to build on our strengths and address our challengesas we look to the future.”Appointed in September 2004 as the first woman to lead Albany’s public schools, Dr.Joseph originally came to the district as assistant superintendent for instruction in 1997. She wasnamed deputy superintendent in 2003 and twice served as interim superintendent before the boardappointed her to the district’s top administrative position.During her 12 years in Albany, she has been instrumental in helping build communitysupport for one of the most ambitious facilities projects in New York state, a sweeping effort thatincluded complete renovation or reconstruction of most of the district’s elementary and middleschools. As superintendent, she has presided over the opening of 10 new facilities, with work inthe final three schools underway and on schedule to be completed when Arbor Hill ElementarySchool returns home in September 2010.(more)Page 2, ALBANY SUPERINTENDENT EVA JOSEPH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Academy Park, Elk Street
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Albany, New York 12207Phone: (518) 475-6000
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Fax: (518) 475-6009
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www.albanyschools.org
 
– 2 –March 25, 2009
Dr. Joseph has been a persistent advocate for quality teaching and strong leadershipfocused on improving student achievement, putting in place strong professional development programs that include partnerships with the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education andTeachers College at Columbia University.Albany has recognized strong gains in achievement across the district during her tenure assuperintendent, including double-digit gains last year in both math and English language arts ingrades 3-8. The New York State Department of Education last year recognized eight Albanyelementary schools as “Rapidly Improving” due to their strong performance gains.Albany High School also has made steady progress during Dr. Joseph’s tenure, including a15 percent increase in the graduation rate (to 69 percent) during her time as superintendent. Since2002, which also includes her time as chief academic officer, the graduation rate has increased 73 percent. Last June, the 516 members of the Class of 2008 represented the largest group of graduates in school history.Dr. Joseph championed the expansion of early childhood education in the district. Inaddition to full-day kindergarten in all 12 elementary schools, Albany’s public schools now offer full-day prekindergarten for more than 620 students in all elementary schools and at severalcommunity locations.Dr. Joseph led the development of the district’s first comprehensive strategic plan in 20years. The board approved the strategic plan last fall, culminating more than a year of work by thedistrict and scores of community volunteers to put in a place a strong vision for the district’sfuture progress, including a complete redesign of Albany High School’s programs and facility.Dr. Joseph also championed partnerships with area institutions of higher education, businesses and other organizations.The district’s partnership with the University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Scienceand Engineering led to the groundbreaking “NanoHigh” program at Albany High. Launched in thefall of 2007, the program made Albany High the first public high school in America to offer nanoscience instruction on campus, in addition to hands-on experience in the cutting-edgefacilities at the NanoCollege’s world-renowned facilities.She also spearheaded the University at Albany-Albany High School Alliance for YoungTalent, a tutoring and mentoring program designed to help better prepare students for college.Prior to her tenure in Albany, Dr. Joseph served as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the East Greenbush Central School District. She also held positionsin the Herkimer Central School District and the Utica City School District.(more)Page 3, ALBANY SUPERINTENDENT EVA JOSEPH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENTDr. Joseph received her doctorate from Columbia University and her educationaladministrative certification from the State University of New York at Cortland. She holds a
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