Donnelly elementary school has new principal - The Press and Sun Bulletin, Binghamton, NY

By: Connie McKinney

 

Francis P. Donnelly Elementary School's new leader plans to attend every meeting of the parent teacher association so she can get to know parents.

"Communication between parents and school is essential to a child's success," said Margo Undercoffer, the new principal of the school, which is in the Susquehanna Valley Central School District.

Undercoffer, 42, will take the reins as principal beginning Monday. She will succeed Mary Frances Charsky, who retired in June after 21 years as principal. Charles Hutchinson, assistant high school principal, has been filling in for Undercoffer as she tied up loose ends at her present job as principal of Afton Elementary School.

The Donnelly school had 208 students during the 2005-2006 school year, according to the latest statistics available at the state Education Department.

A Johnson City native, she completed her undergraduate degree at Alfred University, master's degree at Binghamton University and school administrator certification at the State University of New York at Cortland. A 19-year educator, she taught in the Hancock and Union-Endicott districts before becoming principal in Afton in 2002.

Her first step is to get to know faculty, staff, students and parents, she said. Her next step is to try to get students excited about learning.

"My goal is to make everyone enjoy learning as much as I do," she said.

Rhonda Sharak, a mother of three who serves as assistant treasurer of the Donnelly PTA, said she's impressed with Undercoffer and how she reaches out to parents.