Port Chester School District Names New Superintendent

PORT CHESTER, NY — After a six-month, often contentious search, the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District Board of Education has named a new superintendent.

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez will take over as superintendent of schools on July 1. She will succeed current Superintendent Dr. Edward Kliszus, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

Henriquez is currently the acting assistant superintendent for K-12 curriculum and instruction at the Hempstead Union Free School District on Long Island. The board of education cited her focus on post-pandemic student engagement and data-driven instruction and addressing learning loss in announcing her appointment.

Henriquez has previously worked as superintendent in Brentwood and as principal. She was an elementary school teacher prior to her career as an administrator.

"Dr. Henriquez has the experience, knowledge and skills to bring together and engage all stakeholders in our community," Board of Education Vice President Christine Onofrio said in statement announcing the hiring. "Port Chester Schools are at a pivotal moment, and Dr. Henriquez is the visionary leader that the board and community were looking for in order to continue to move us forward. I am confident that she will be both visible and active in the district and am excited for our future."

Henriquez earned her Doctor of Education from Dowling College. She has a Master’s Degree and School District Administration and Supervision Program completion from SUNY Stony Brook and her undergraduate degree is from SUNY Old Westbury.

"The potential to join a school community with such a rich history and innovative approaches to learning really excited me," Henrquez said. "My desire to become a part of Port Chester really had to do with its reputation for valuing all students, teachers, leaders and staff, and investing for the long term."

The incoming school chief says her first goal will be to help he school community to reconnect post-pandemic to rebuild relationships that have been interrupted, which will be no small task to accomplish.