Avon Resident Appointed to Head Up District's Special Education

The Farmington Board of Education appointed Dr. Laurie Singer as Director of Special Services at its Monday night meeting.

“Dr. Singer was selected from a competitive field of candidates,” Superintendent Kathleen Greider said. “She has distinguished herself as an exceptional educational leader. Dr. Singer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position of Director of Special Services, and we are thrilled that she will join the Farmington Public Schools on July 1, 2011.”  

Singer is an Avon resident with high-school aged children and a diverse background in music, education and administration that appealed to the Board of Education.

In her current role as Director of Pupil Services in the Bolton Public Schools, she has improved the entire Pre-K- 12 program through her ability to bring individuals together to develop consensus and create solutions to the educational needs of students, Greider said. She comes recommended by her colleagues and parents of students in Bolton.

A statement from the Farmington superintendent’s office cites Singer’s history of effectively managing “the resource challenges for the programs that she has administered” and calls her “a hands-on administrator” who forges strong relationships with students and teachers.

Prior to her current assignment in Bolton, she served as Director of Student Services and School Psychologist in the New Hartford Public Schools. She has additional experience as a clinical psychologist and elementary classroom teacher.  She has earned academic credentials from several universities and her Ph.D. from Fordham University.

Dr. Singer takes over the leadership of the Special Services Department from Dr. Jane Currie, who is retiring after 14 years of service to the Farmington Public Schools effective July 1, 2011.