SUNY New Paltz faculty appointed president of American Association of School Administrators

NEW PALTZ — David E. Gee, an assistant professor of educational administration at the State University of New York at New Paltz and a long-time public school administrator, has been appointed as president of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) for 2005-06.

Gee was officially sworn in on July 27 at an installation ceremony prior to the AASA Governing Board meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Gee joined the SUNY New Paltz faculty in 2004. He earlier served since 1998 as the superintendent of the Western Suffolk BOCES in Dix Hills, N.Y., and was the superintendent of the Queensbury Union Free School District in Queensbury, N.Y.

Gee received his bachelor’s degree from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Columbia University in New York.

Gee, an AASA member for 25 years, has held a variety of AASA leadership posts. He has served as chair of the Finance Committee and as a member of the Women Administrators Advisory Committee, the Redesign/Governance Committee, the Suburban Schools Advisory Committee and the Leadership Advisory Committee. He has been a member of the New York State Council of School Superintendents since 1976 and served as president from 1999-2000.

Dr. Paul Houston, Executive Director of AASA, said, “We are looking forward to David Gee’s leadership. He has been an outstanding school administrator for many years, and he has been an active contributor to the development of the new governance structure at AASA.”

“I am honored for the trust and faith that so many educational leaders have bestowed upon me and I hope that during my presidency that I will be able to live up to those expectations,” commented Gee.

The Educational Administration program at SUNY New Paltz provides an expanded program for administrators who are prepared, able and competent to meet the challenges of a demanding society to deliver quality education.

The Department of Educational Administration offers two programs that enable prospective administrators to be granted the School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS), School District Administrator (SDA) and School Business Administrator (SBA) New York State certifications. State certification is needed for virtually all supervisory or administrative positions.

AASA, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for over 13,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. AASA’s major focus is standing up for public education. The associations’ headquarters is in Arlington, Va.

Note to editors: A photograph of David E. Gee may be downloaded from the SUNY New Paltz Web site at www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/gee.html.