BH-BL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- School Business Administrator
Job Titles:
- Business Office Secretary
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- Assistant Transportation Supervisor
Job Titles:
- Continuing Education Program
- Diversity Officer
- Employee Services
Job Titles:
- Buildings & Grounds Director
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- Distance Learning Coordinator
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- Term Expires: June 30, 2024
Dave is serving his second term on the board. Before becoming the Director of Technology at Capital Region BOCES, he was a school administrator and a high school math and computer teacher. Versocki is a 1986 graduate of BH-BL High School. He holds a BA from Hartwick College, a master's from Union College, and earned his Administrative Certification from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. In the past, he was a co-chair of BH-BL's 2013 Capital Project Committee, a member of the Galway Lake Sailing Club, and a coach for the Burnt Hills girls travel basketball, youth softball, and youth lacrosse teams. Versocki is a lifelong resident, and he and his wife, Amy, have a daughter who graduated from BH-BL High School in 2021. Email David Versocki.
Job Titles:
- Secretary to the Superintendent
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at the College of Saint Rose
- Assistant Superintendent for Support Services
Dr. Christopher Abdoo, who came to BH-BL in September 2012, is responsible for assisting the Superintendent of Schools with the direction, coordination, planning, operation and evaluation of BH-BL's educational program.
More specifically in his role as the assistant superintendent for support services, his day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing more than 300 non-instructional personnel, the operation and maintenance of district facilities, the school lunch program, the pupil transportation program, accounting and payroll operations, purchasing operations, district security, technology operations and community use of facilities. Dr. Abdoo also participates in all district contract negotiations with collective bargaining organizations; carries out all the long- and short-range financial planning for the entire district; guides the district in school environment safety, insurance, and risk management decisions; and has oversight of all financial reporting as well as of all construction and renovation projects within the district.
In addition to his role at BH-BL, Dr. Abdoo has been an adjunct professor at the College of Saint Rose since 2019 and also serves as an Executive Coach for doctoral candidates at the Sage Colleges. Prior to joining the BH-BL administrative team, Dr. Abdoo served as the director of business & finance for the Rome City School District, the business administrator for the Frankfort-Schuyler Central School district, a social studies teacher at the New Hartford Central School District, and an accountant/auditor for Ernst & Young LLP's Manhattan office.
Dr. Abdoo holds a B.S. in Accounting from Binghamton University, a M.S. in Social Studies Education from Syracuse University, a C.A.S. in Educational Administration/Leadership from the State University of New York College at Cortland, and a Doctorate of Education from the Sage Colleges. His doctoral dissertation focused on factors that influenced the recruitment and retention of teachers in the Capital Region.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum
- Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. David Collins became BH-BL's Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in June 2019. His BH-BL career, however, began in 2015 as the district's K-12 Director of Science & Technology where he played an instrumental role in getting the high school's new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) addition up and running by facilitating the design and evolution of the space and equipment to model modern-day laboratories and work spaces.
As the assistant superintendent, Collins' role includes leading all aspects of curriculum and instruction including overseeing nearly 300 professional staff and ensuring the curriculum and resources in all areas are properly aligned with NYS standards and guarantee innovative opportunities for all students. As assistant superintendent, Collins is responsible for elementary and secondary programming including early intervention, reading and math, and special area opportunities. Collins also promotes ways to broaden and expand the district's career and technical and elective programs. He's also responsible for expanding college-credit course offerings for students by cultivating relationships with higher education institutions, and continually reviewing BH-BL's current programs and practices to see where even more opportunities or offerings can be integrated. Collins is responsible for guiding, collaborating with, and overseeing the district's K-12 academic administrators and curriculum committees on all matters related to academics. He also participates in district negotiations with bargaining units and oversees the instruction portion of the district's multi-million dollar budget.
Prior to joining BH-BL, Collins was the Principal of Mohonasen High School where he previously served as Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and a biology teacher. Collins holds a B.S. in Biology from Geneseo College, a M.A.T. in Education from Union College, a certificate in Educational Administration/Leadership from MCLA, and a Doctorate of Education from the Sage Colleges. His doctoral dissertation focused on the influence of social networks on superintendent decision making during the COVID-19 educational crisis.
Collins and his wife, Kerri, live in Saratoga Springs with their two children, Lily and David, and dog (Buster).
Job Titles:
- Superintendent
- Superintendent of Schools
The BH-BL Board of Education is responsible for hiring a superintendent to lead and manage its school district. Dr. McGrath became BH-BL's sixth superintendent in 2012, and he works directly for the school board.
As the superintendent, he is responsible for the leadership of BH-BL's five schools and the administration of all school board policies. He ensures that the school district follows all applicable NYS education law and he represents the school district in the community and across the region. Dr. McGrath is also responsible for implementing the school board's vision by making day-to-day decisions about educational programs, spending, staff, and facilities. He ultimately hires, supervises, and manages the central staff and principals, working with all school leaders to serve the needs of students and meet district goals. He represents the school board in negotiations with the district's bargaining units, and he is responsible for responding to the concerns of all the other constituencies and interest groups in the district: teachers, students, parents, staff, advocates, and the community at large.
During his tenure, McGrath has focused on developing district facilities, enhancing school safety initiatives, broadening access to technology, and implementing innovative educational programming and delivery models. McGrath has led the district through two major capital projects, Building Our 2nd Century I & II, as well as the district's Centennial Celebration (2015). The Capital Projects are the district's largest to date and were focused on modernizing nearly all classrooms and equipping them with up-to-date technology, building a state-of-the-art STEAM wing at the high school, outfitting all schools with secure vestibules, constructing a multi-purpose athletic field and track at the high school, renovating and expanding the high school's auditorium, and building a new transportation center, to name the largest projects.
Prior to his superintendency Dr. McGrath was a middle school principal, high school principal and the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Mohonasen CSD. He began his career teaching science in the Niskayuna CSD. He earned his Ph.D. through the Department of Educational Administration and Policy Studies at the University at Albany. His dissertation investigated technology leadership models in K-12 schools. Patrick and his wife Denise live in Charlton. They have 3 grown children and their youngest, Caleb, is currently enrolled at BH-BL.
Job Titles:
- President
- President of the Board
Longtin is serving her fifth term on the Board of Education. She is a 19-year resident of the district and is the owner of the Lighthouse Insurance Agency, LLC, an independent insurance agency. Longtin has spend many hours volunteering in BH-BL classrooms and has been a long time homeroom parent. She holds a bachelor's degree in business and is a member of the BH-BL Business & Professional Association. Longtin lives in Ballston Lake with their three children-twins who graduated from BH-BL in 2022 and a daughter who attends the high school.
Job Titles:
- Athletic Director
- Facilities Use Coordinator
- Health Education
- Physical Education & Interscholastic Sports
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- Staff Development Coordinator
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- Administrator for Student Transportation
Administrator for Student Transportation: Katria Hitrick | 518-399-9141, ext. 83524
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of the Board
Lakshmi is serving her second term on the board. She is a 15-year resident who is serving her first term on the board. She is an officer for both the O'Rourke Middle School and BH-BL High School PTAs and is involved in many school-related activities. Lakshmi is the Director of Operations at Holistic Wealth Advisors, and is a Certified Financial Planner. She holds her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. She and her husband, James Vilics Jr, have two children in the district. Email Lakshmi Nagarajan.
Job Titles:
- Term Expires: June 30, 2024
Lisa is a 21-year resident who is serving her second term on the board. Before becoming a Insurance Agent, Morse was a special education aide at Gordon Creek Elementary School in Ballston Spa and previously worked at the Glenville YMCA. She has an associate's degree and a paralegal degree from Herkimer Community College. She was a member of BH-BL's 2013 and 2018 Capital Project Committees and a past member of the Scotia Rotary. Morse is currently a baptism ministry coordinator at the Church of Immaculate Conception, treasurer of the Field Hockey Booster Club (past president) and a certified USA Swim Official. She lives in Glenville with her husband and have four BH-BL High School graduates and a daughter at the high school. Email Lisa Morse.
Job Titles:
- Science & Technology Education
Job Titles:
- Registrar & Secretary to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Job Titles:
- Special Services Director
Job Titles:
- Clerk
- District Communications Specialist
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer