The Yonkers School District has a new interim leader at the helm, as Luís Rodríguez assumes the role of superintendent following the retirement of Edwin Quezada earlier this month.
After 25 years of service to the Yonkers Public Schools, Superintendent Edwin Quezada announced his retirement in April. In a heartfelt letter, Quezada described his tenure as “an exceedingly rewarding, and at times challenging, period of my professional life.” The school district made official that Quezada would step down from his position on July 3rd, 2023.
Quezada’s journey with the Yonkers Public Schools began in 1998 when he joined as a human relations facilitator. Over the years, he held various roles, including principal of Gorton High School, Emerson Middle, and Lincoln High School. In 2016, the board of trustees appointed Quezada as superintendent. His commitment to improving education in the city has been widely acknowledged.
“It is time for me to take a new path in my life’s journey,” Quezada stated in his retirement letter, expressing his readiness to pass the torch to a new leader with fresh perspectives and innovative strategies for the betterment of urban education. As Quezada bid farewell, the city began its search for a successor to lead the district into its next phase of educational excellence.
Interim named as the search continues
On Wednesday, July 19th, the board named Luís Rodríguez as the interim superintendent. Having served the district for nine years as the assistant superintendent for Special Education, Rodríguez brings a wealth of experience to his new position.
Prior to Yonkers, Rodríguez was part of the New York City public school system. He describes himself as a “lifelong advocate of eliminating disparities in not only opportunity but outcomes for all students.”
With the transition underway, the district’s board president has ensured that the search for a permanent superintendent is still in progress. They have enlisted the help of a search firm, Hazard Young Attea & Associates. The firm will organize public meetings and an electronic survey to gather input from the community on their preferences and expectations for a superintendent. The aim is to make the selection process comprehensive, inclusive, and reflective of the community’s needs and aspirations.
