District News

A familiar face in the Lancaster Central School District, Bethany Henke, will become the new principal at Como Park Elementary School. Henke, who has served as assistant principal at William Street School for the last four years, expressed her excitement for the new role as well as her appreciation for the feeling of community she has found in the district. 

“I've witnessed so many moments where teachers and staff come together to make great things happen for our students. We find a path forward and we do whatever it takes to support them,” Mrs. Henke said. “Those are the moments that have truly always meant the most to me.”

Mrs. Henke was formally appointed at the district’s March 23 Board of Education meeting. She will assume the role held by longtime principal Mary “Molly” Marcinelli, who will retire at the end of the school year. Dr. Karen Marchioli, Director of Elementary Education, praised Marcinelli for her nearly two decades of service to the district and community. 

“Molly has established a building with a strong culture where both the students and the teachers enjoy coming to school every day,” she said. “Replacing someone who's been at their job for almost 20 years and shows that kind of leadership is no easy task.”

Dr. Marchioli said that Mrs. Henke showed she was ready for the principal role during interviews with the district’s search committee and with her work as part of the leadership at William Street School. With her strong instructional knowledge and understanding of the district, Dr. Marchioli said Mrs. Henke was ready to build on the school’s work to create a plan for its future.

“I know she will be strategic in her work towards our continuous improvement in both academics and the social-emotional well-being of our students,” Marchioli said. “She also has a clear plan for building connections with teachers and staff and the larger community.”

Mrs. Henke said she was looking forward to meeting members of the school community as she begins in the role.

“As a parent, I understand the trust families place in their schools,” she said. “I want families to know I take that responsibility seriously, and that I will care deeply for our students and their future.”

The Lancaster School District employs approximately 980 professional and classified staff members. The faculty, staff, and administration work together to provide a nurturing and supportive environment to maximize teaching and learning opportunities.