On Tuesday, May 18, the South Colonie Board of Education announced the appointment of Jacqlene McAllister as the next Assistant Superintendent for Management Services and Strategic Planning effective July 12.
With over ten years of experience in finance, operations, and communications, McAllister will step into her new role with the district after serving as the School Business Administrator for the Galway Central School District. In her position, she served as a member of the leadership team working collaboratively with the Board of Education and staff to successfully manage the district’s $23 million dollar budget. In addition to the vast responsibilities, McAllister successfully transitioned a new transportation department supervisor; prepared the district for a $3 million capital project vote; and supported the Galway BOE and leadership team through strategic planning, goal setting and analysis.
McAllister began her career in communications but found her passion for finance and school budgets when she began her position with the Association of School Business Officials of New York (ASBO). In 2009, she accepted a position with ASBO as Staff Association for Membership & Communications and spent many years learning the nuts and bolts of the organization serving in various capacities while continually advancing her career. In 2016, she was named Director of Operations and Finance. In that position, McAllister managed the finances for the agency in addition to supporting their work in strategic planning, professional development, as well as conference and event management execution.
“We are pleased to welcome Jacqlene in this role,” said Rose Gigliello, board of education president. “In addition to her vast experience in supporting school business officials across the state through her work at ASBO, we had the privilege of working with Jacqlene while she was finishing her Certificate of Advanced Study at the College of Saint Rose. Jacqlene worked alongside the board and leadership team at South Colonie to support us during the unprecedented budget vote during the 2020 school year. A 2004 graduate of Colonie Central High School, we are thrilled to see another alumni join the district in this capacity.”
McAllister’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Media and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management & Leadership and Operations Management from Rochester Institute of Technology. Additionally, she holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in School District Business Leadership from the College of Saint Rose and New York State certification as a School District Business Leader.
“I am honored to have been selected as the Assistant Superintendent for Management Services and Strategic Planning, ” said McAllister. “I had the wonderful opportunity to learn and grow alongside the district’s leadership during my internship, getting to know the culture, the members of the administrative team, and many of the Board of Education members. I look forward to getting to know more of the people who make a difference in the district and working with them to support our students, families and school community.”
In conjunction with her professional experience, McAllister has served as a guest speaker and presenter for various leadership topics at the College of Saint Rose and assists with travel and tournament logistics for her son’s hockey teams. She lives in the district with her husband, Pat, son Patrick Jr., who is a fourth-grader at Veeder Elementary, and daughter Peyton, attending Saddlewood Elementary as a PreK student.
McAllister is replacing Sherri Fisher who is slated to retire August 2.