Cooperstown Central School District Welcomes
Jr./Sr. High School Principal and Director of Special Education
Cooperstown, NY – The Cooperstown Central School District Board of Education approved Laurie LaMondie, Jr./Sr. Principal, and Kimberly Bode, Director of Special Education, at its May 22 and June 27,2024 meetings. Ms. LaMondie will begin on July 22, 2024 and Ms. Bode will begin on July 1, 2024.
The Principal is responsible for providing leadership and oversight in all aspects of the educational program in the Jr./Sr. High School and the Director of Special Education is responsible for providing leadership and direction in all aspects of special education programs, policies and services at the Cooperstown Central School District.
Through effective communication with members of the community, Ms. LaMondie and Ms. Bode play a vital role in ensuring the success and well-being of our students in general education as well as those with special needs and learning differences. As always, it is the district’s intent to ensure the psychological, social and emotional, and academic well-being of our students while providing the faculty and staff with the necessary tools to continually improve student outcomes.
Ms. LaMondie, originally from Rome, returns to central New York after serving students and staff in Florida’s Volusia County Public Schools since 2004. For the past seven years Ms. LaMondie has served as an Assistant Principal at T. Dewitt Tayor Middle-High School, a grade 6-12 building with approximately 1,100 students. In this capacity she supervised teachers and paraprofessionals, coordinated exceptional student education services, provided professional development, and developed positive relations with educators, families, and the local community.
Ms. LaMondie earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from SUNY at Morrisville, a Bachelor of Science in Business/Public Management from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, a Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education from Nova Southeastern University, and an Educational Specialist certificate from Stetson University.
“I am honored to be joining Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School as Principal. My focus will be to continue to support academic excellence and student development through a nurturing environment with collaborative practices involving our faculty, students, and community. Together, we will continue to make Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School a place where every student feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential.”
The Cooperstown district Superintendent and board of education members selected Ms. LaMondie following a months long and careful review of the pool of qualified applicants as well as conversations with representatives from district teachers, staff, and administrators. Ms. LaMondie met with faculty and service unit members, community representatives, current and elected board of education members, and school administrators who provided feedback to the superintendent and board of education.
Ms. Bode moved to the Catskills seven years ago after previously teaching in Florida. She spent the last seven years teaching in Oneonta as a special education teacher and as a second-grade teacher. During this time, she co-taught in all subject areas at the elementary level and led professional development training on co-teaching. She also spent that time collaborating with a team of educators to differentiate instruction to best meet the needs of all students.
Ms. Bode received her bachelor's degree in psychology and masters in elementary education from Quinnipiac University. While there, she also focused on getting her special education certification. For the past two years she has been working with a local cohort to receive her School Building Leader and School District Leader degree through Russell Sage College.
“I am excited to be the next Director of Special Education in Cooperstown. Everyone whom I have met (at CCSD) has been extremely welcoming and kind! I am looking forward to collaborating with the incredible educators and school community to support our students.”
Ms. Spross, Superintendent, and district leaders, including Principal Amy Malcuria and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Amy Kukenberger, will provide Ms. LaMondie and Ms. Bode with a thorough orientation. They will help review policies and procedures, budgets, enduring district goals, and other important aspects of the school. Ms. LaMondie’s and Ms. Bode’s priorities will be to get to know the students, teachers, and educational support staff as they work to ensure all students receive the support necessary to be successful.
Ms. Spross and the Board of Education would like to thank Amy Malcuria, Elementary Principal, who assumed responsibilities as our district wide Principal since January. Her leadership and commitment to the students of CCSD allowed us to continue to provide high quality education to our community, while completing the search for Jr./Sr. Principal.