Gladys Cruz, district superintendent of Questar III BOCES in Castleton, N.Y., was sworn in today as the 2023-24 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the nation’s premier organization representing the more than 13,000 public school superintendents.
The Questar III BOCES region of Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene Counties includes 22 school districts, which range from a one-room schoolhouse serving about 20 K-2 students in North Greenbush to school systems serving nearly 4,000 students in East Greenbush and Troy. The BOCES delivers more than 275 educational and administrative services. It also provides services to more than 640 other school districts and nearly every BOCES in the state.
“It is a professional honor to serve as president of an organization that has the steadfast tradition of supporting superintendents and those aspiring to become superintendents on behalf of our nation’s school districts,” said Cruz. “Preparing, energizing and sustaining the next generation of school system leaders has never been more important. In this role, I pledge to work tirelessly to represent my colleagues across the country to support their efforts in educating their students—our nation’s leaders of tomorrow.”
Cruz serves as a commissioner of AASA’s Learning 2025 Network: A National Commission on Student Centered-Equity-Focused Education. Additionally, she is a co-lead teacher of the AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Latino and Latina Leaders and a mentor in the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®. She also is a member of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
“Gladys Cruz is an ambassador for what is best in public education—someone who understands the individual needs of our students by infusing future-driven best practices in her own school community,” said David R. Schuler, executive director, AASA. “Superintendent Cruz has been a longstanding member of the AASA family and I will look forward to working with her to do what is best for the leaders of our nation’s school districts who are creating effective paths for the young learners they serve.”
Cruz earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Albany. She earned two master’s degrees — one in curriculum development and instructional technology from the University of Albany and one in bilingual education from the Universidad del Turabo in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
Related article: ‘A Latina Pioneer Ready for AASA’s Helm’ / School Administrator, January 1, 2023
Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of Beaverton (Ore.) School District, was also sworn in today as the 2023-24 president-elect of AASA. The installation ceremony was held in conjunction with AASA’s Legislative Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.
About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
