Pioneer School District now has two new assistant superintendents.
Superintendent Nicholas Silvaroli announced that at the April 18 Pioneer Board of Education meeting, Anthony Montoro was appointed as Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. Meanwhile, at the May 2 board meeting, Dr. Shawna Gugino was appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services.
Mr. Montoro is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services for North Tonawanda Schools. He studied accounting and finance at Canisius College and worked as an accountant for a couple of years in the private sector before going back to school to get certified as a business teacher. He initially served as a business teacher for 10 years, primarily at Silver Creek.
While teaching, Mr. Montoro attended college part-time to acquire his Masters of Business Administration degree and credentials to serve as a school business official. He landed his first business official opportunity at Westfield School District in 2015, and joined North Tonawanda Schools as its Assistant Superintendent in 2017.
Mr. Silvaroli said, "I first met Tony back in 2015 and he has been out to Pioneer a handful of times over the years to observe our operations, and he has tried to model such at North Tonawanda."
Mr. Montoro will begin his duties at Pioneer the week of June 5.
Dr. Gugino is currently the Assistant Director of Pupil Services and Special Education for Frontier Central Schools and previously served as Director of Special Education/Dean of Students and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Coordinator for West Valley Schools. She is a former Director of Special Education, Curriculum, Assessments and Grants for Gowanda Central School.
Dr. Gugino briefly served with the U.S. Department of Justice as a Federal Agent prior to a career transition into education. She completed her undergraduate studies at Medaille College, her graduate studies at Buffalo State and Canisius College, and her doctoral studies at the University at Buffalo.
"Shawna has very broad experience as a result of her diverse positions during her career which will serve her well in her new role," said Mr. Silvaroli, who added that Dr. Gugino will officially join Pioneer on July 17.