Superintendent names Chelsea Defino as director of curriculum; audit committee reports 'acceptable' rating

The board formally welcomed Chelsea Defino as the new director of curriculum and instruction. Dr. Roarback said Defino has worked in the district since 2021 in roles that included high-school science teacher, assistant principal and coordinator of pilot programs, and praised her experience with project‑based learning initiatives and professional fellowships.

"Her leadership has helped facilitate programs such as the science Olympia team..." Dr. Roarback said in presenting Defino. The superintendent added that Defino’s background will help the district implement New York State Education Department priorities including the portrait of a graduate and updated instructional expectations.

Separately, the audit committee reported on a payroll and personnel audit conducted earlier in the month and summarized the findings to the board. The committee said the audit earned an overall rating of "acceptable," included findings and recommendations, and came with a corrective action plan which the board approved. The committee noted the accounts‑payable office is stabilizing but still has vacancies.

"We received an overall rating of acceptable. They did have some findings and recommendations and there was a corrective action plan," an audit committee representative said. External auditors were noted to begin preliminary fieldwork for the 2025–26 fiscal audit.

The board did not debate or amend either the appointment or the audit report; both items were presented and advanced during committee and board reports.