Dr. Lisamarie Spindler, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Lisamarie Spindler is the new Superintendent of Schools at the Hudson City School District. Her career as an educator spans more than 20 years and includes experience as a classroom teacher as well as an administrator at the building and district levels. Dr. Spindler comes to Hudson from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, where she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum before that.
Her immediate goals include ensuring the continued safety and well-being of the school community and providing oversight on the development of the 2022-23 school budget proposal.
Here are a few things to help you get to know Dr. Spindler.
What is your role here at the Hudson City School District, and where do you work?
I am the Superintendent of Schools. My office is in the central administration suite but really I work everywhere.
When did you start working here?
I was appointed by the Board of Education on December 21, 2021 and officially started in the district on February 1, 2022.
What are your job responsibilities/priorities?
As the Superintendent, my job is to lead and manage the school district while keeping a laser focus on students’ academic, behavioral, and social needs. I work to implement the School Board’s vision and meet the district’s goals and objectives through day-to-day decisions on educational programs, staffing, facilities, funding, and spending. This requires a collaborative approach to educational leadership and I look forward to working with the school community and greater Hudson community to meet the needs of our students and faculty.
What goals do you hope to accomplish while working here?
First and foremost, my goal is to maintain the health and safety of the school community during the ongoing pandemic so we can keep providing a safe environment for students to learn in school.
Next, I want to meet with as many people as possible in the coming months to learn more about the Hudson school community and how we can work together to keep this district moving forward and upward. I hope to do something like a “listening and learning tour” to meet with staff, families, students and community members, and use those conversations to help create a Superintendent’s Entry Plan. I will work to maintain close community relations throughout my tenure as the Superintendent of Schools.
Another immediate goal is to provide oversight on the development of the 2022-23 school budget proposal. Over the next few months, I will be working closely with administrators and the Board of Education to develop a proposed school spending plan, and making sure we maintain transparency and keep staff and the community informed throughout the process.
Students (or scholars, as I often like to say) are the top priority and the reason we open our doors every day. The most important long-term goal is to keep our scholars at the forefront of all district decisions. I will work to support a culture in which all conversations and decisions about leadership development, professional growth, and day-to-day needs center around the impact on our students’ social, emotional, and intellectual growth. I hope to create a culture of trust and shared leadership with a focus on student engagement and growth that firmly maintains high expectations for all Hudson scholars.
What made you want to work at the Hudson City School District?
I was drawn to the warm community feel, instant connection, and strong feeling of acceptance. It was clear to me that the district and Board of Education are dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff, and I wanted to be part of that great work.
What do you like most about working in public education?
Being part of a student’s journey is what led me to and continues to pull me toward public education. Public education plays a vital role in society as the fuel that empowers students to become active, productive, and responsible citizens in their communities. It does more than “level the playing field;” public education has the potential to “change the game.” It can be the vehicle to close opportunity gaps and change a person’s trajectory.
What is your background like – previous jobs, education? How did that prepare you for this leadership role?
You might say I was destined for a career in education. My mother, late grandmother, and her twin sister were special education paraprofessionals, so my childhood experiences and family conversations constantly revolved around school experiences.
Before becoming an administrator, I had the pleasure of teaching for more than 13 years in various grade levels, content areas, and school settings (including summer school). While teaching, I had opportunities to lead content-specific and grade-level departments. I’ve held administrative positions at the elementary, middle and high school levels, as well as executive level district positions in Curriculum and Finance.
I continued my education throughout most of my career, allowing me to get permanently certified in the areas of Elementary Education, Special Education, Reading, Administration, and Finance. After achieving a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and publishing my dissertation, I earned another professional degree in Educational Finance and a Certificate in Finance through Georgetown University. I have stayed abreast of current trends throughout my career and attended multiple professional development opportunities across the country. I have a true passion for learning and will continue my learning and professional growth in education.
Before working here, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I’ve been working since I was 11 years old so I’ve had a few interesting jobs. One of the most interesting was at an auto body shop where I prepped cars to be painted. I yearn to break stereotypes and encourage people to explore and try careers that are dominated by genders other than their own.
Tell us a bit about your life outside of school.
I have a husband and two beautiful daughters, Gianna and Scarlett, who are my fun and entertainment. I genuinely love my quality time with them, engaging in their extracurricular activities, and hanging out with their friends. They, too, enjoy engaging in my work activities and being part of my professional life. I love to learn and read, and occasionally love to go on walks, practice yoga, and meditate.
What is the best advice anyone has given you?
The best advice was from my mother: “Worrying is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.
What is your motto or personal mantra?
“Be STRONG. You never know who you are inspiring.” And, “Leadership is infectious.”