Changes in leadership are in place at the New Lebanon Central School District for the 2013-14 school year. The district welcomes Rick Arket (pictured) as the assistant principal of the Jr/Sr High School, while Leslie Whitcomb transitions to the elementary school and Matthew Klafehn to principal at the Jr/Sr High School.
Whitcomb has moved over to Walter B. Howard Elementary School from New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School where she served as principal for the last six years. She replaces Becky Marzeski as principal, who left the district at the end of the school year to pursue other opportunities.
Klafehn, who served as New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School assistant principal and athletic director since August 2008, has assumed Whitcomb’s position as the Jr/Sr high school’s principal. Filling the assistant principal and athletic director positions is Arket, who was appointed by the Board of Education on July 2, 2013. He officially began his new duties on July 29.
Arket comes to New Lebanon after serving as high school science teacher in the Bethlehem Central School District since 2006. During his tenure there, he was involved in numerous school activities and initiatives, including serving as a member of the Professional Practices Committee, coordinator of the Friends of Rachel Club and participant of an iPad initiative to encourage technology innovation in the classroom.
Arket is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where he completed his certificate of advanced study in School Building Leadership in May 2013, and his bachelor’s degree in biology in 2004. He earned his master’s degree in teaching biology from Union College in Schenectady.
“The leadership change for 2013-14 will enable New Lebanon faculty and staff to continue their focus on student achievement and success,” said Superintendent of Schools Karen McGraw.