CAROGA - Ballston Spa Middle School Co-Principal Richard Ruberti Jr., a Mayfield resident, has been selected as the new Wheelerville Union Free School District superintendent.
District Board of Education President Michael Bruce on Wednesday said his board wrapped up its search Tuesday night.
"I believe he's an excellent choice and a very good match for the district," Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery Board of Cooperative Educational Services Superintendent Patrick Michel said today. "He's energetic and enthusiastic, a hit with the students and staff."
Wheelerville has 140 students. Ruberti, who couldn't be reached today, comes from a school in Ballston Spa with about 1,100 students.
Michel, who led the search and assisted the Wheelerville Board of Education, said Ruberti's salary will be $98,000 annually. He said he is scheduled to be formally appointed by the board at its next meeting July 9 at the school. He is expected to start in August.
The Wheelerville school system goes up to grade eight, and students graduate to attend Johnstown High School. The superintendent also is considered the principal at Wheelerville.
Michel said Ruberti is a Gloversville native who now lives in Mayfield.
Ruberti will replace Interim Superintendent Harry Brooks, a former Broadalbin-Perth Central School District superintendent who has been filling in at Wheelerville.
Ruberti permanently replaces former Wheelerville Superintendent David Carr, who left the school Feb. 27, resigning for what Bruce said at the time was a "personal reason." Carr is technically on personal leave until Saturday.
"We had an extremely strong pool of candidates," Brooks said today. "All were well equipped."
He said Ruberti, who has mostly worked in Saratoga County, has strong leadership skills.
"Mr. Ruberti comes really with a lot of experience," Brooks said.
Brooks said during the interview process that Ruberti said he wanted to be "closer to home." In addition, Brooks said the candidate indicated he wanted a greater role and responsibility in education, and he liked Wheelerville's "sense of community."
Bruce said Ruberti was the final selection among six final candidates for the superintendent position.
Among those interviewed were Gloversville High School Principal Richard DeMallie and Gloversville Middle School Principal James Christopher. The other four candidates interviewed by the board were Northville Elementary School Principal William Crankshaw, Wheelerville school psychologist William Frollo and Raquette Lake Union Free School District Superintendent Peter Hallock.
Christopher and Crankshaw were finalists in the search earlier this year for a new Wells Central School District superintendent. They lost out to Thomas Sincavage, principal of Canajoharie Middle School and his district's curriculum coordinator.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.