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New Principals in 2025-26
Meet the New Principals for 2025-26
Along with our elementary reconfiguration this fall, there are four new principals in charge of buildings across the district. None of them are new faces to Poughkeepsie families, but each is in a new role and a new building. Below, watch video interviews with new principals so you can learn more about what they envision for their buildings, their educational philosophies and why they wanted to become an educator in the first place.
Truth: Alicia O'Connell
Sojourner Truth Principal Alicia O’Connell previously spent three years as principal of Millbrook’s Elm Drive Elementary, which is also a pre-K to 2 school. Before that, she had been with the Poughkeepsie City School District for several years as a special education teacher, and the multi-tiered systems of support coordinator.
Krieger: Melissa Barrow
Melissa Barrow came to the district last year as assistant principal at the Smith Early Learning Center, giving her familiarity with many of the new students at Krieger. Before that, she spent roughly a decade with the East Ramapo Central School District, where she, among other accomplishments, created a robust English Language-Learner program. Here, she shares a message to her students and school families in both English and Spanish.
Smith: Jessica Baruffo
Jessica Baruffo had been the assistant principal at Krieger Elementary and now takes the reins as interim principal at Smith, which this year is transitioning from a PK and K school to grades 3-5. Baruffo here discusses navigating that transition, what educational opportunities are created by establishing a school for that age range and why she got into education.
PMS: Barrington Atkins
Barrington Atkins is Poughkeepsie Middle School’s first full-time principal since the 2022-23 school year. A Poughkeepsie native and the Assistant Minority Leader as a representative of the city in the Dutchess County Legislature, Atkins brings a wealth of experience to his new role. While he previously served as an assistant principal in the Newburgh City School District, in 2022-23 he was an assistant principal at Poughkeepsie High School. Here, Atkins talks about goals for the middle school, how he aims to involve families and the communities, and what got him into education.