The Board of Education is pleased to announce that Andrew Kourt will be the next superintendent of the Chatham Central School District. Mr. Kourt has over 21-years’ experience as an educator and public school leader at the building, district, and regional level. The Board will appoint Kourt at its July 9, 2024 meeting, which will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Chatham High School library. He and his family will arrive at 5:30 p.m. for a small reception prior to the meeting. The community is invited to attend and enjoy this opportunity to meet the District’s next leader.
“It is my true honor to have been chosen to lead the Chatham Central School District to continued growth and success,” Kourt said. “I look forward to building relationships and earning the trust of our families, students, teachers, support staff, administrators, community members, and the Board of Education to provide the very best education and extracurricular experiences for our students. Together we will work tirelessly to provide a learning environment that supports, motivates, and engages all students to be their best.”
Kourt is currently the superintendent of schools of the New Lebanon Central School District, a position he has held since 2020. Prior to that, he served as the principal of Walter B. Howard Elementary School and, earlier in his career, taught fifth grade and special education classes at Glenmont Elementary School. He currently chairs the Capital Area School District Association Executive Committee, sits on the New York State Council of School Superintendents’ Academic and Assessment Committee and Professional Development Committee, is Columbia County’s superintendent representative on the Community and School Services Task Force, and is a Questar III Board of Cooperative Educational Services Regional Advocacy representative. He also has moonlighted as a literacy staff developer and consultant for numerous public schools in the Capital Region.
He is permanently certified in New York State as a school district and school building leader, as well as an elementary and special education teacher. He holds a certificate of advanced study in educational administration and leadership from The College of St. Rose, a master’s degree in reading and literacy from the State University of New York at Albay, and a bachelor’s degree in special and elementary education from The College of St. Rose.
Kourt lives in Glenmont with his wife Beth, who is a fourth grade teacher, their three children, and the family’s two rescue dogs. Their oldest daughter is entering ninth grade, their son is entering fifth grade, and their youngest daughter is starting pre-k this year. At home, Kourt enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, and taking care of the yard. He and his family love to travel and search out amusement parks everywhere they go. He’s also an avid Buffalo Bills and New York Knicks fan and enjoys watching his children play football, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and dance.
The Board offered Kourt the superintendency following a months-long search process this spring. Alan Pole of the Castillo and Silky educational consulting firm assisted the Board with their search. The Board also established five different committees representing faculty, supervisory staff, support staff, students, and community members to interview the finalists and provide input to inform the Board’s decision making.
“The Chatham Board of Education is very excited to welcome Andrew Kourt as our next superintendent of schools,” said Board president Fred Hutchinson. “While we interviewed several excellent candidates, Andrew's experience as a superintendent and his familiarity with Columbia County will prove invaluable to the District moving forward. His thoughtful nature and welcoming disposition makes him precisely the type of leader we believe can lead our staff and support student growth over this next era.”
Kourt will officially step into his role as Chatham’s superintendent of schools
in the early fall, at a date to be determined, after he completes his contractual obligations to New Lebanon CSD. He will replace former superintendent of schools Sal DeAngelo, who retired June 30.