District News

As she prepared for her first year as assistant principal at William Street School, April Owczarczak said she was excited to be a part of the school’s vibrant community. “You can tell that families are really involved in their students’ education, and I think that’s really important to see that we are a team,” she said.

Owczarczak, who began in the role on July 1, fills an opening left when Bethany Henke became the principal of Como Park Elementary School. The Cheektowaga native previously worked at Kenmore West High School, where she served in a wide range of roles from special education teacher to acting assistant principal. Prior to being in education, Owczarczak said she worked as a physical therapy assistant. “I’ve always had a passion for helping people reach their goals,” she said. “Seeing people succeed and knowing I played a small part in that is incredibly rewarding.”  

Gregory Heer, William Street School principal, praised Owczarczak as a student-centered leader during the Lancaster Central School District Board of Education’s May 11 meeting. He also said her abilities and experience lined up with the goal of creating an inclusive school culture. “We found one of April's most compelling strengths to be her deep appreciation for the role relationships play in a thriving school community,” Heer said. “She approaches her work with empathy, respect, and an authentic commitment to listening. Whether engaging with students, collaborating with colleagues, or partnering with families, she prioritizes connections as the foundation for meaningful and lasting impact.”

Dr. Karen Marchioli, Director of Elementary Education, said Owczarczak was the consensus selection by the hiring committee after a rigorous interview process. Among the steps for candidates during the process was a tour of the building with students, who gave the hiring committee feedback on the candidates’ level of engagement with students. 

“A committee consensus such as this is notable and speaks not only to her professional qualifications but also to the strength of her presence, her clarity of vision and her genuine commitment to both faculty, students and staff,” Dr. Marchioli said.