Raymond Sanchez to become Tarrytowns superintendent after 25-year career in Ossining

Ossining schools Superintendent Raymond Sanchez, one of the region's senior schools chiefs, will leave the district at the end of the school year to become superintendent of the Tarrytowns district.

In a letter to the Ossining school community Wednesday, Sanchez reflected on his nearly 25-year career with the district. He spent the last 10 as superintendent.

"I remember the day I was offered a fourth-grade teaching position in Ossining as if it were yesterday, even though it was many years ago," Sanchez wrote. "This is where I began my career of serving students, families, and communities."

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In an interview Thursday, Sanchez said he looked forward to serving Tarrytowns − the district where he was born and raised and where his parents still live − "with my heart and soul."

In Sanchez's time at Ossining, the district has seen an increase in both enrollment and students' needs, he said. The district has taken a collaborative approach to create programs that address educational equity issues and make sure all kids' needs are being met, he said.

The Ossining school board, in an email to the community, thanked Sanchez "for his passion, dedication and commitment to serving the Ossining community and our children" and said a transition plan had already started.

The board said it anticipates naming an interim superintendent before Sanchez leaves. Sanchez said he and the board were still working through the details of when his last day will be.

'A beacon for all districts'

Sanchez is a past president of the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents and is one of the best-regarded superintendents in the Lower Hudson Valley. He was named a "superintendent to watch" by the National School Public Relations Association in 2017.

Alice Joselow, who was on the Ossining school board for 12 years ending in 2011, including three as president, said she was devastated Sanchez wouldn't finish his career in Ossining.

"Under Dr. Sanchez's leadership, Ossining has been a beacon for all districts with regard to equity, inclusion, and cutting edge programs and his firm commitment to community schools," she said.

Joselow said Sanchez had a way of synthesizing and simplifying information, did the job with humility and excelled at hiring a more diverse staff.

"I want them to get another Ray," Joselow said.

In the Tarrytowns district, Sanchez will replace Chris Borsari, who is retiring June 30.

"Dr. Sanchez's dedication to community leadership is driven by his passion for serving others," Tarrytowns school board Vice President Michelle DeFilippis said in a statement. "Our hope for our community is to have a leader who values and prioritizes service to others."

Superintendents on the move

Sanchez's move continues a trend of superintendents leaving districts in the Lower Hudson Valley, either for retirement or to lead another district.

Come the end of 2023, 30 of 48 school districts in Westchester and Rockland counties will have superintendents who have been in their jobs for two years or less.

Sanchez is the latest superintendent to move to a nearby district.

In 2022, former Mount Vernon Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton left to lead the Edgemont district and former Eastchester Superintendent Robert Glass left for Bedford. Nanuet Superintendent Kevin McCahill will step aside this summer to lead a new program in North Rockland for students facing mental health challenges.

Sanchez said he will always be connected to the Ossining community.

"I cannot begin to describe the gratitude I feel for the opportunities I have been given and the trust that has been placed in me over the years," he said in his letter.

Contact Diana Dombrowski at ddombrowski@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @domdomdiana.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ossining Superintendent Ray Sanchez takes top job in Tarrytowns