Mount Markham Central School District Board of Education members have announced Lauren Crisman as the district’s next superintendent.
Crisman, who is currently the Fort Plain Central School District superintendent, will begin as Mount Markham superintendent on Sept. 1.
“I'm excited to join the team at Mount Markham,” Crisman said. “This is a community rich with substance, where it's clear that the students are motivated to achieve and adults are deeply committed to supporting their success. I'm honored to have been offered this opportunity and look forward to working collaboratively with many of you to support Mount Markham’s commitment to delivering engaging and diverse student experiences.”
The decision to select Crisman as superintendent was made following final interviews conducted on Wednesday, June 11th. A contract agreement has since been reached, and Crisman was formally appointed to her position during a special Board meeting on Thursday, June 26.
“We had a numerous and very diverse pool of candidates to choose from, and the process worked the way it should have,” Mount Markham Board of Education President Jay Kulczak said. “With Lauren Crisman’s experience and background, she should be an excellent fit for Mount Markham Central School District.”
The superintendent search process began in early April, following an announcement by former Mount Markham Superintendent Joe D’Apice that he was resigning to become superintendent at New Hartford Central School District. D’Apice remained Mount Markham’s superintendent through April 27, and David Langone was appointed to serve as the interim superintendent from April 28 through the end of August.
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent D.J. Shepardson led the superintendent search on behalf of the Mount Markham Board of Education. Shepardson hosted a Community Information Session about the superintendent search on April 16 in the Mount Markham High School Auditorium to discuss the search process, timeline and a community survey. The community survey was available online from April 17-25 to gain input on the search process from the school community.
Screening and selection of candidates took place between April and May 2025, and Board of Education interviews took place during May and June 2025.
Crisman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the State University of New York at Cortland, a Master of Science degree in literacy from the State University of New York at Albany and a Certificate of Advanced Study in educational leadership from the State University of New York at Cortland. She holds various professional certifications including in elementary education (K-6), literary specialist (B-6), school building leader and school district leader. She is a member of the New York State Council of School Superintendents and the CTEN Advisory Council for the State University of New York at Albany, and she is vice chair of the Capital Area School Development Association Executive Committee.
Crisman’s work background in education started as a teacher aide at Latham Ridge Elementary School in Latham, then as a third-grade teacher at Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School in Coeymans and next as a Reading First teacher at Benton Hall Academy in Little Falls. At Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School in Cherry Valley, she moved her way up from second grade teacher to Reading First coach, English language arts coordinator and then elementary principal/curriculum coordinator K-12. Next, she became principal of Harry Hoag Elementary School in Fort Plain, until becoming superintendent of Fort Plain Central School District in July 2022. She also serves as a student teacher supervisor for the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Crisman is excited to now become Mount Markham superintendent.
“I've lived locally for the past 20 years, first as a resident of Richfield Springs, and now in Cooperstown, where I live with my husband and our two children,” Crisman said. “I have a deep love for our rural region and a strong appreciation for its natural beauty. I truly enjoy living and working in an area rich with history and filled with opportunity.”
Lauren Crisman