Superintendent Mott announces retirement plans, new role; Wilson appointed interim superintendent

The Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott announced Wednesday he will retire from the district at the end of this academic year and, beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, will take on a new role with the district.

The board, at its meeting Wednesday evening, appointed Deputy Superintendent of Schools Da’Ron Wilson interim superintendent of schools, effective Nov. 1 through June 30, 2027.

Board President Jamar Cummings said the district will move forward with a search for a new permanent superintendent of schools, and that process that will be shared with the community in the coming months.

Based upon the terms of an addendum agreement to the Superintendent’s Employment Agreement acted upon by the board Wednesday, and to facilitate the transition to a new superintendent, Mott agreed to serve in the position of executive director of K-8 curriculum implementation and accountability through the date of his retirement, June 30, 2027.

“Among the most critical educational concerns faced by the district is assuring a strong curriculum to help our students succeed academically. I will focus my efforts in this area during the coming months,” Mott said.

Cummings thanked Mott for his dedicated service to the district and said he and the board look forward to continuing to work with Mott throughout this transition. He noted, Wednesday’s announcements alter the timeline of the district’s leadership changes but not the overall approach that has been discussed since the summer.

“The work of the City of Poughkeepsie school district continues,” Cummings said. “The work still has to get done. Our students still have to be educated. We still have to show up with fidelity.”