# Cheektowaga Central School District

Cheektowaga Central Free School District is a school district in Cheektowaga, New York, United States. The current superintendent is Mr. Scott Zipp.
The district operates three schools: Cheektowaga High School, Cheektowaga Middle School, and Union East Elementary School.

## Administration

The District offices are located 3600 Union Road in Cheektowaga. The current Superintendent is Mr. Scott Zipp.

### Current Administrators

* Mr. Scott Zipp–Superintendent
* Ms. Laurie Widman–School Business Administrator
* Mr. Michael P. Fatta–Director of Human Resources
* Mrs. Erin Weir–Director of Pupil Services
* Mrs. Maureen George–Director of Learning
* Mr. Michael Amici–District Coordinator of Technology
* Mr. Brian Hickson–Director of Athletics
* Mr. Bruce Vona–Director Transportation/Buildings and Grounds

## District history

The town of Cheektowaga had many multiple districts. In 1956, five districts (Union, Losson, Pine Hill, Alexander, and Cayuga) merged to form the new Cheektowaga Central School District.

### Former Superintendents

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Dr. Earl J. Boggan–1956-1969 (Principal - Pine Hill High School, retired, named Coordinator of Secondary Education of D'Youville College)
* Dr. Omer Renfrow–1969-1976 (Principal - Thornton Township High School, retired)
* Dr. Andrew P. Mulligan–1976-1987 (unknown, retired)
* Dr. Leslie B. Lewis–1987-2003 (Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired)
* Mrs. Delia Bonenberger–2003-2010 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired)
* Mr. Dennis M. Kane–2010-2016 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired)
* Mrs. Mary A. Morris–2016-2021 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired)
* Mr. Steven L. Wright–2021-2022 (Assistant Superintendent - Cheektowaga Central School District, retired)

## Cheektowaga Central High School

Cheektowaga Central High School is located at 3600 Union Road and serves grades 9 through 12. The current principal is Mrs. Karin Cyganovich and the current assistant principals are Mr. Micah Hanford and Mr. Joshua Strzelec.

### History

Cheektowaga Central High School opened on September 7, 1960 and was dedicated on April 23, 1961.

#### Former principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Mr. Charles S. Allgeier–1960-1969 (Vice Principal - Depew High School, retired)
* Ms. Bertha K. Dauer–1969-1977 (Vice Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired)
* Dr. Leslie Lewis–1977-1987 (Vice Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Superintendent of Cheektowaga Central School District)
* Mr. Robert C. D'Angelo–1987-1989 (Assistant Principal - Royalton-Hartland High School, named Assistant Principal of Pembroke Junior/Senior High School)
* Mr. James G. Christmann–1989-1993 (Assistant Principal - Kensington High School, named Principal of Pine Hill Middle School)
* Mr. George W. Radka–1993-2000 (Principal - Cheektowaga Middle School, retired)
* Mr. Steven L. Wright–2000-2007 (Vice Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Cheektowaga Central Schools)
* Mrs. Susan L. Cain–2007-2014 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga Central High School, retired)
* Mr. Scott Zipp–2014-2021 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Assistant Superintendent of Cheektowaga Central School District)

#### Former assistant principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Ms. Bertha Dauer–1960-1969 (Secondary Supervisor - Pine Hill High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School)
* Mr. Jack P. Beck–1969-1970
* Mr. H. Kenneth Salenger–1970-1974 (unknown, named Principal of New Paltz High School)
* Dr. Leslie Lewis–1974-1977 (Chemistry teacher - New York City Schools, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School)
* Mr. Joseph T. McCarthy–1974-1987 (Dean of Students - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired)
* Mrs. Christine A. Malarkey–1987-1998 (unknown, named Pupil Services Director of Cheektowaga Central Schools)
* Mr. Steven Wright–1998-2000 (Math teacher - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School)
* Mrs. Gretchen Sukdolak–2000-2005 (Art teacher - Pembroke Junior/Senior High School, named Assistant Principal of Union East Elementary School)
* Mrs. Susan Cain–2005-2007 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary School, named Principal of Cheektowaga High School)
* Mr. Micah Hanford–2007-2009 (Math teacher - Niagara Falls High School, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)
* Mr. Scott Zipp–2009-2014 (Biology teacher on Special Assignment - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga High School)
* Mr. Michael Fatta–2014-2021 (Physical Education teacher - Cheektowaga High School, named Director of Human Resources of Cheektowaga Central School)
* Mr. Patrick Cullinan–2018-2020 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)

## Cheektowaga Middle School

Cheektowaga Central Middle School is located at 3600 Union Road and serves grades 5 through 8. The current principal is Dr. Christopher Salinas and the current assistant principal is Dr. Katie Daniels.

### Academics

Cheektowaga Central Middle School offers core academics and exploratories including Fine Arts and Family/Consumer Sciences, as well as an advisement program called Success Through Academics, Character, and Knowledge (STACK).

### History

Cheektowaga Central Middle School was formed in 1989. Previously, grades 7 and 8 were housed at Cheektowaga High School. From 1993-2003, both the high and middle school shared principals and other staff until the middle school was reborn in 2003. An addition was built onto the east wing of the school to accommodate the new middle school in 2003.
The current Cheektowaga Central Middle School opened on September 3, 2003 and was dedicated on November 20, 2003.

#### Former Principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Mr. George W. Radka–1989-2000 (Vice Principal - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, retired)
* Mrs. Cheryl M. Buggs–2003-2007 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga Middle School, named Director of Human Resources for Cheektowaga Central Schools)
* Mr. Brian K. Bridges–2007-2013 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga Middle School, named Principal of Union East Elementary School)
* Mrs. Gretchen A. Sukdolak–2013-2016 (Principal - Union East Elementary School, named Director of Pupil Services of Cheektowaga Central School District)
* Mr. Micah J. Hanford–2016-2020 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga Middle School, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga High School)
* Mr. Patrick M. Cullinan–2020-2022 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga High School, assigned to Central Office)
* Mr. Thomas J. Lyons [interim]–2022

#### Former Assistant Principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Mr. George Radka–1977-1989 (Guidance Counselor - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)
* Mr. Steven Wright–1998-2000 (Math teacher - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School)
* Mrs. Cheryl Buggs–2000-2003 (Dean of Students/Athletics - Cheektowaga Junior/Senior High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)
* Mr. Brian Bridges–2003-2007 (Social Worker - Union East Elementary School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)
* Mrs. Maureen George–2007-2009 (English teacher - City Honors School, named Director of Learning for Cheektowaga Central School District)
* Mr. Micah Hanford–2009-2016 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)
* Mr. Frederick J. Hahn–2016-2017 (Dean of Students - Global Concepts Charter School, named Teacher in Residence at Buffalo United Charter School)
* Mrs. Elizabeth Zaccarine–2018-2020 (Assistant Principal - St. Mark's School, named Principal of Woodrow Wilson Elementary School)

## Union East Elementary School

Union East Elementary School is located at 3550 Union Road and serves grades K through 4. The current principal is Mrs. Melissa Mitchell.

### History

Union East was built and opened on September 4, 1968. The school was dedicated on May 4, 1969.

#### Former principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Mrs. Ruth P. Peters–1968-1986 (Principal - Alexander Elementary School, retired)
* Mr. William E. Koepf–1986-1995 (Principal - Alexander Middle School, retired)
* Mrs. Alison J. Caputy–1995-2000 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary, named Principal of Pine Hill Primary School)
* Ms. Kathleen M. Rudewicz–2000-2009 (Principal - Pine Hill Primary School, retired)
* Mrs. Gretchen Sukdolak–2009-2013 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary School, named Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)
* Mr. Brian Bridges–2013-2016 (Principal - Cheektowaga Middle School, placed on leave and named Social Worker at Harvey Austin School)

#### Selected former assistant principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Mrs. Carolyn J. Nieset–1989-1991 (Co-principal - Pioneer Elementary School, named Principal of Sciole Elementary School)
* Mrs. Nancy Littenberg–1992-1994 (Teacher - North Tonawanda City School District, named Principal of Ledgeview Elementary School)
* Mrs. Kathleen Rudewicz–1994-1995 (unknown, named Principal of Pine Hill Primary School)
* Mr. Benjamin Spitzer–1995-1998 (Psychologist - Salamanca City School District, named Principal of A.J. Schmidt Elementary School)
* Ms. Mary Beth Muldowney–1998-1999
* Ms. Mary Morris–2000-2002 (Guidance Counselor - Cheektowaga High School, named Associate Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Cheektowaga Central School District)
* Mrs. Susan Cain–2002-2005 (1st Grade Teacher - Pine Hill Primary School, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga High School)
* Mrs. Gretchen Sukdolak–2005-2009 (Assistant Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Union East Elementary School)
* Mrs. Melissa Mitchell–2009-2016 (6th grade teacher - Cheektowaga Middle School, named Interim Principal of Union East Elementary School)
* Ms. Shannon L. Thurston [interim]–2016-2017 (Teacher - Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, named Assistant Principal of Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center)
* Mr. Patrick Cullinan–2017-2018 (Assistant Principal - Pine Hill Education Center, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga High School)
* Mrs. Katie Sclafani–2020 (2nd Grade teacher - Niagara Charter School, named Assistant Principal of Cheektowaga Middle School)

## Defunct Schools
### Pine Hill Education Center

Pine Hill Education Center was located at 1635 East Delavan and serves grades PK through 12

### History

Pine Hill opened as Pine Hill Elementary School and was opened in September 1971. The cornerstone was laid on May 19, 1971 and the school was dedicated on June 1, 1972. The school closed in 2011, and now houses the district's alternative education program. The alternative program, opened in 2011, serves students who are referred from the Cheektowaga Middle and High Schools in needed of a smaller, more structured learning environment.
In 2018, the school was closed and the alternative education program was moved to the high school campus. The building now houses the EDGE Academy from Erie 1 BOCES.

#### Former Principals

Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses
* Mr. Robert J. Schlageter–1960-1986 (Principal - Losson Road School, retired)
* Mr. Frank G. Cantie–1986-1993 (4th grade teacher - Union East Elementary School, retired)
* Mr. James G. Christmann–1993-1994 (Principal - Cheektowaga High School, named Principal of Royalton-Hartland High School)
* Mrs. Alison Caputy–1994-1995 (Teacher - Charlotte Cross Elementary School, named Principal of Union East Elementary)
* Mrs. Kathleen Rudewicz–1995-2000 (Assistant Principal - Union East Elementary, named Principal of Union East Elementary)
* Mrs. Alison Caputy–2000-2009 (Principal - Union East Elementary, retired)
* Mr. Steven Wright–2009-2018 (Director of Pupil Personnel Services - Cheektowaga Central School District, named Chief Technology Officer or Cheektowaga Central School District)

## Selected former administrators

| Year | Superintendent | Pine Hill Principal | Union East Principal | Union East Vice Principal | Middle School Principal | Middle School Vice Principal | High School Principal | High School Vice Principal |
| 1960-1961 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1961-1962 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1962-1963 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1963-1964 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1964-1965 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1965-1966 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1966-1967 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1967-1968 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1968-1969 | Earl Boggan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer | Charlie Allgaier | Bertha Dauer |
| 1969-1970 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Jack Beck | Bertha Dauer | Jack Beck |
| 1970-1971 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger |
| 1971-1972 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger |
| 1972-1973 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger |
| 1973-1974 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger | Bertha Dauer | Ken Salenger |
| 1974-1975 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Leslie Lewis | Bertha Dauer | Joe McCarthy |
| 1975-1976 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Leslie Lewis | Bertha Dauer | Joe McCarthy |
| 1976-1977 | Omar Renfrow | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Bertha Dauer | Leslie Lewis | Bertha Dauer | Joe McCarthy |
| 1977-1978 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1978-1979 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1979-1980 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1980-1981 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1981-1982 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1982-1983 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1983-1984 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1984-1985 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1985-1986 | Andy Mulligan | Bob Schlageter | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1986-1987 | Andy Mulligan | Frank Cantie | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1984-1985 | Andy Mulligan | Frank Cantie | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1985-1986 | Andy Mulligan | Frank Cantie | Ruth Peters | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1986-1987 | Andy Mulligan | Frank Cantie | Bill Keopf | | Leslie Lewis | George Radka | Leslie Lewis | Joe McCarthy |
| 1987-1988 | Leslie Lewis | Frank Cantie | Bill Koepf | | Bob D'Angelo | George Radka | Bob D'Angelo | Christine Malarkey |
| 1988-1989 | Leslie Lewis | Frank Cantie | Bill Koepf | | Bob D'Angelo | George Radka | Bob D'Angelo | Christine Malarkey |
| 1989-1990 | Leslie Lewis | Frank Cantie | Bill Koepf | Carolyn Nieset | George Radka | | Jim Christmann | Christine Malarkey |
| 1990-1991 | Leslie Lewis | Frank Cantie | Bill Koepf | Carolyn Nieset | George Radka | | Jim Christmann | Christine Malarkey |
| 1991-1992 | Leslie Lewis | Frank Cantie | Bill Koepf | Nancy Littenberg | George Radka | | Jim Christmann | Christine Malarkey |
| 1992-1993 | Leslie Lewis | Frank Cantie | Bill Koepf | Nancy Littenberg | George Radka | | Jim Christmann | Christine Malarkey |
| 1993-1994 | Leslie Lewis | Jim Christmann | Bill Koepf | Nancy Littenberg | George Radka | | George Rakda | Christine Malarkey |
| 1994-1995 | Leslie Lewis | Alison Caputy | Bill Koepf | Kate Rudewicz | George Radka | | George Rakda | Christine Malarkey |
| 1995-1996 | Leslie Lewis | Kate Rudewicz | Alison Caputy | Ben Spitzer | George Radka | | George Rakda | Christine Malarkey |
| 1996-1997 | Leslie Lewis | Kate Rudewicz | Alison Caputy | Ben Spitzer | George Radka | | George Rakda | Christine Malarkey |
| 1997-1998 | Leslie Lewis | Kate Rudewicz | Alison Caputy | Ben Spitzer | George Radka | | George Rakda | Christine Malarkey |
| 1998-1999 | Leslie Lewis | Kate Rudewicz | Alison Caputy | Mary Muldowney | George Radka | Steve Wright | George Rakda | Steve Wright |
| 1999-2000 | Leslie Lewis | Kate Rudewicz | Alison Caputy | | George Radka | Steve Wright | George Rakda | Steve Wright |
| 2000-2001 | Leslie Lewis | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Mary Morris | Steve Wright | Cheryl Buggs | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak |
| 2001-2002 | Leslie Lewis | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Mary Morris | Steve Wright | Cheryl Buggs | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak |
| 2002-2003 | Leslie Lewis | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Susan Cain | Steve Wright | Cheryl Buggs | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak |
| 2003-2004 | Delia Bonenberger | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Susan Cain | Cheryl Buggs | Brian Bridges | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak |
| 2004-2005 | Delia Bonenberger | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Susan Cain | Cheryl Buggs | Brian Bridges | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak |
| 2005-2006 | Delia Bonenberger | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Gretchen Sukdolak | Cheryl Buggs | Brian Bridges | Steve Wright | Susan Cain |
| 2006-2007 | Delia Bonenberger | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Gretchen Sukdolak | Cheryl Buggs | Brian Bridges | Steve Wright | Susan Cain |
| 2007-2008 | Delia Bonenberger | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Gretchen Sukdolak | Brian Bridges | Maureen George | Susan Cain | Micah Hanford |
| 2008-2009 | Delia Bonenberger | Alison Caputy | Kate Rudewicz | Gretchen Sukdolak | Brian Bridges | Maureen George | Susan Cain | Micah Hanford |
| 2009-2010 | Delia Bonenberger | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak | Melissa Gladwell | Brian Bridges | Micah Hanford | Susan Cain | Scott Zipp |
| 2010-2011 | Dennis Kane | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak | Melissa Gladwell | Brian Bridges | Micah Hanford | Susan Cain | Scott Zipp |
| 2011-2012 | Dennis Kane | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak | Melissa Gladwell | Brian Bridges | Micah Hanford | Susan Cain | Scott Zipp |
| 2012-2013 | Dennis Kane | Steve Wright | Gretchen Sukdolak | Melissa Gladwell | Brian Bridges | Micah Hanford | Susan Cain | Scott Zipp |
| 2013-2014 | Dennis Kane | Steve Wright | Brian Bridges | Melissa Gladwell | Gretchen Sukdolak | Micah Hanford | Susan Cain | Scott Zipp |
| 2014-2015 | Dennis Kane | Steve Wright | Brian Bridges | Melissa Gladwell | Gretchen Sukdolak | Micah Hanford | Scott Zipp | Mike Fatta |
| 2015-2016 | Dennis Kane | Steve Wright | Brian Bridges | Melissa Gladwell | Gretchen Sukdolak | Micah Hanford | Scott Zipp | Mike Fatta |
| 2016-2017 | Mary Morris | Steve Wright | Melissa Mitchell* | Shannon Thruston* | Micah Hanford | Fred Hahn | Scott Zipp | Mike Fatta |
| 2017-2018 | Mary Morris | Steve Wright | Melissa Mitchell | Patrick Cullinan | Micah Hanford | | Scott Zipp | Mike Fatta |
| 2018-2019 | Mary Morris | N/A | Melissa Mitchell | Julia Hamels | Micah Hanford | Liz Zaccarine | Scott Zipp | Mike Fatta |
| 2019-2020 | Mary Morris | N/A | Melissa Mitchell | Julia Hamels | Micah Hanford | Liz Zaccarine | Scott Zipp | Mike Fatta |
| 2020-2021 | Mary Morris | N/A | Melissa Mitchell | Julia Hamels | Pat Cullinan | Katie Daniels | Scott Zipp | Mike Fatta |
| 2021-2022 | Steve Wright | N/A | Melissa Mitchell | Julia Hamels | Pat Cullinan | Katie Daniels | Karin Cyganovich | Mike Fatta |
| 2022-2023 | Wright/Zipp | N/A | Melissa Mitchell | Julia Hamels | Cullinan/Salinas | Katie Daniels | Karin Cyganovich | Fatta/Hanford |
| 2023-2024 | Scott Zipp | N/A | Melissa Mitchell | Julia Hamels | Chris Salinas | Katie Daniels | Karin Cyganovich | Micah Hanford |
| 2024-2025 | Scott Zipp | N/A | Melissa Mitchell | Julia Hamels | Chris Salinas | Katie Daniels | Karin Cyganovich | Micah Hanford |
*Denotes interim appointment