City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent Jonathan Raymond today announced the appointment of Shelli L. Owens as Interim Principal at the Barnard Early Childhood Center for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. Owens has served as Assistant Principal at Columbus Elementary School in the school district for the past nine years and worked at Jefferson Elementary School as a literacy facilitator. Her appointment is effective February 22.
"I am thrilled to share the news that Shelli Owens will be the interim principal at Barnard, replacing Dr. Nicolas Cracco, who has moved to a position at the school district central office. Shelli is a product of the New Rochelle school community and is a whole child, whole family, whole community educator who embodies the best of what this work is all about. She is committed to academic excellence, developing the team around her, and has a deep well of care, compassion, empathy, and love for children. We're happy to have her as part of our team," said Superintendent Raymond. "I thank Principal Michael Galland and his whole team for helping to prepare Shelli for this next important journey. Our school district and our community are the beneficiaries."
A Westchester County native, Owens earned her Professional Diploma in school administration at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry after obtaining her master’s degree in Special Education at the State University at Albany. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. She has experience at the New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport, Conn., and the Mamaroneck School District.
During the transition from Columbus to Barnard, Interim Principal Owens will split her time between the two buildings. In addition, Dr. Cracco will continue to provide administrative support for the Barnard school community. The school district has begun the search process for Owens’ Interim Assistant Principal replacement at Columbus Elementary School.
