Kevin Hanlon Named New Principal of Columbus Elementary

The Mount Pleasant Central School District is pleased to announce that Mr. Kevin Hanlon has been selected as the next Principal of Columbus Elementary School. The appointment will be formally recommended at the May 14th Board of Education meeting, with Mr. Hanlon set to assume his new role on July 1, 2025. Mr. Hanlon will succeed Michael Cunzio, who is retiring after a distinguished 31-year career in education, including 23 years of dedicated service to the Mount Pleasant School District.

Mr. Hanlon brings extensive administrative experience to Columbus Elementary, currently serving as Assistant Principal at Fox Lane Middle School in the Bedford Central School District for the past four years. His leadership background includes comprehensive experience in instructional programming, teacher supervision, school discipline, and community building. Previously, Mr. Hanlon served as Assistant Principal at Farragut Middle School in Hastings-on-Hudson and held multiple roles at Port Chester Middle School, including Academy Leader, math department chairperson, and math teacher.

Throughout a rigorous interview process, Mr. Hanlon distinguished himself with a deep understanding of Columbus Elementary's unique needs and a thoughtful strategy for building trust across the school community. "Mr. Hanlon demonstrated both a commitment to understanding what makes Columbus special and a natural ability to connect with people," said Dr. Peter Giarrizzo, Superintendent of Schools. "His entry plan centers around three key leadership goals: attentive listening to community voices, continuous learning about Columbus Elementary, and fostering a joyful, supportive learning environment. I am confident he will be a strong addition to both Columbus and our district leadership team."

Upon his selection, Mr. Hanlon expressed his enthusiasm for joining the district: "I'm deeply honored to join the Mount Pleasant Central School District and lead the learning community at Columbus Elementary. My sincere gratitude goes to the Board of Education, Dr. Giarrizzo, and the search committee for entrusting me with this meaningful opportunity. As I step into this role serving our 3rd-5th grade students, I'm committed to nurturing a positive environment where relationships with staff, students, and families serve as the cornerstone of our shared vision for success. I believe that meaningful connections form the foundation for both academic excellence and personal development, and I look forward to leading with a collaborative spirit, genuine empathy, and unwavering integrity."

Mr. Hanlon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Providence College, as well as a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education and a Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville University.

The Mount Pleasant Central School District welcomes Mr. Hanlon to the Wildcat family and looks forward to his leadership at Columbus Elementary School.​​​​​​​​​