Poughkeepsie City School District 

Superintendent Bio

 Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools, is an accomplished administrator with educational leadership, school turnaround, and operational management experience at the  State Education Agency and Local Education Agency levels. He has a proven history of leading, managing, and coaching educational leaders and teachers, and designing and supervising effective instructional and student support initiatives.

Prior to being appointed in his current role, Dr. Rosser was the Associate Superintendent for Student Support Services in the Buffalo Public Schools. He also served as Director of Student Support Services and Compliance, Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services, and began his career as a teacher in Buffalo, before relocating to Atlanta to oversee the Atlanta Public Schools’ signature reform initiative as a Program Administrator. In Atlanta, Dr. Rosser also served as Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Operations and Interim Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Rosser has also enjoyed the experience of serving as Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in the District of Columbia, and as Executive Vice President for Operations for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Maryland.

Dr. Rosser earned a Bachelor’s Degree, three Master’s Degrees, and a Doctoral degree from State University of New York at Buffalo. His undergraduate and graduate studies focused on culture and the marginalization of cultural groups in education. He pursued graduate degrees in school counseling and educational administration to position himself to enact systemic change by developing programs, policy, and leading efforts to address institutional barriers that limit K-12 school success and postsecondary collegiate participation through a student centered approach.

He is a first generation college graduate who attributes his academic accomplishments to his motivation to fulfill his life’s work of advocating for every student to receive a quality education, particularly those impoverished and those who will be first generation college attenders. He participated in the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy and has been invited to present annually to the Academy’s aspiring urban superintendents.

Dr. Rosser has been involved with school turnaround initiatives since 2007, leading efforts at the local and state level (i.e. Atlanta Public Schools, OSSE, and Buffalo Public Schools) and working directly with school principals in developing and strengthening academic and student support programs to meet the evolving needs of all learners. As a system’s thinker, Dr. Rosser has overseen the implementation of reform initiatives in the Buffalo Public Schools, including the co-development of the District’s Student Success Plan and many of the strategic initiatives of the Buffalo Public Schools’ New Education Bargain, the system’s comprehensive reform model. In his previous position as Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Elementary and Secondary Education of OSSE, Dr. Rosser oversaw the implementation of the District of Columbia’s State Accountability School District Turnaround Model. He also led the establishment of the accountability system for early learning facilities and programs throughout the District of Columbia. In Atlanta, Dr. Rosser was responsible for the District’s signature reform initiative designed to increase the academic outcomes of over 13,000 K-12 students in the school system’s lowest performing schools.

Dr. Rosser understands all facets of school district operations. His unrelenting and courageous advocacy for children and families, ability to develop productive collaborative relationships with school leaders and community partners, affability, unwavering integrity, and commitment to all students distinguishes him as a Champion of Children.

Contact Information

Columbus School - Administration Building

18 South Perry St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601                                                                                                                                                  (845) 451-4900                                                                 

The Superintendent of Schools supervises all matters directly or indirectly affecting the operations of the school district. He ensures that the administration of the school system conforms with existing laws, regulations and policies adopted by the Board of Education.

To keep up to date on events and happenings in the District please look at our calendar and read announcements that are sent home with students.

Selected School Board Policies related to the Superintendent

3000 Administration Goals
3100 Superintendent of Schools
3120 Duties of the Superintendent
3160 Evaluation of the Superintendent
                                                   

Please note that the District maintains an online Policy Manual that contains the most up-to-date policies. The online manual is searchable by keyword or policy name.