Randolph Academy Names Larry Ljungberg Interim Superintendent

Randolph Academy’s Board of Education appointed Larry Ljungberg to be its interim superintendent at a special meeting yesterday. Ljungberg’s selection follows the recent news that current superintendent Danielle Cook is joining the Frewsburg (NY) Central School District in the same role. Mr. Ljungberg will begin July 1.

Ljungberg served as superintendent of the Hinsdale (N.Y.) Central School District from 2013 until his retirement in 2023. There he oversaw roughly 500 students and 100 employees over a decade-plus tenure that included leading school budget and labor negotiations, major capital projects, and a five-year strategic plan.

During his 40-year career, he also served as principal/CEO of Buffalo’s Charter School for Applied Technologies (2001-03), and in the same role with Buffalo’s Global Concepts Public Charter School (2003-07). He was also principal of John F. Kennedy High School, within Cheektowaga-Sloan (N.Y.)’s Union Free District (2007-10). In addition, he has served as director of instruction and curriculum with Buffalo’s Oracle Charter School, as assistant principal with Niagara-Wheatfield’s West Street Elementary School, and as a science teacher for 10 years within two districts at the beginning of his career.

“We are very pleased to have such an accomplished individual to serve in this role as we work to identify a long-term replacement,” said Randolph Academy Board of Education President Mary Myers. “Mr. Ljungberg has built an impressive career in education and administration that has spanned a variety of urban and rural environments, student demographics, and administrative models. We are thrilled that he is interested in our opportunity, and we know our students and staff will have excellent leadership as they begin their new academic year.”

Ljungberg holds a master’s degree in Education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction from SUNY Oswego, where he also earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Chemistry. He also holds two certificates of advanced studies, having completed the Superintendent Leadership and School Administrator and Supervisor programs. He belongs to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS), Parent Network of Western New York, WNY Association of School Personnel Administrators, and New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), among other professional organizations.

“I attended Randolph Academy’s board of education meeting on June 11 and was impressed not only by the people on the board but also the spirit of openness and collaboration among the board and the administration,” said Ljungberg. “My goal is to assist in the transition to a new superintendent by offering stability and a focus on meeting the needs of all the district’s students during this time.”

Ljungberg is a lifelong resident of East Aurora, N.Y., where he lives with his supportive wife, Christine.