Owego Apalachin Central School District

Four new administrators will join the Owego Apalachin district this summer, moving into the positions of Owego Apalachin Middle School principal, Owego Elementary School principal, Owego Free Academy assistant principal and OFA athletic director.

Joining OA: Laurie McKeveny, Jill Clark, Tom Beatty and Joe Palladino.

Laurie McKeveny

McKeveny will step in a principal at Owego Elementary School as George Thearle enters retirement. Being in an elementary school setting may seem like coming home, to a degree, considering that McKeveny said her teaching career actually began when she was just 5 years old.

“I played school every day. Finally, when I was old enough for college, I attended SUNY Cortland and became certified as a teacher in elementary education, early secondary English and secondary English,” McKeveny said.

She then received her master’s degree in reading K-12 from Binghamton University.

McKeveny’s first position in education was at Broome Community College, where she stayed 13 years, teaching reading and study skills courses.

“My direction changed when I applied for a Reading Recovery job at Johnson City Schools,” she said. “I then received reading recovery training and taught first-graders.”

Afterward, she taught children from kindergarten through fourth grade, either through reading intervention or through team teaching.

The past year and a half McKeveny obtained her administrative degree from Cortland.

“One of the things that drew me to Owego Apalachin is the strong commitment to literacy and to lifelong learning by both students and staff,” McKeveny said. “I believe that there are no limits to learning. Every student is gifted in his or her own unique way.

“My goal as an administrator is to be responsive to the needs of the students, and those I work with – teachers and staff, parents and other administrators,” she said. “The question that will be at the heart of all my decisions will be, “What is best for students?”

McKeveny and her husband have three sons “who are all becoming young men now,” she said.

“We hope we have instilled in them the values and beliefs we hold dear. Family is very important to us,” McKeveny said. “Creating a sense of family in our school is very important as well. I hope to create an environment where the children I impact at OES are challenged, but also feel valued and safe.

“Most importantly, I hope to instill a sense of hope, where no dream is impossible.”

Jill Clark

Clark takes over as Owego Apalachin Middle School principal as Bob Devan moves into the district’s guidance department. (Heather Kotula will transfer from the high school guidance department to OAMS to replace Tari Coyne-Horton, who has retired.)

Clark has been a school administrator the past five years, beginning that tenure as assistant principal at Sherburne-Earlville, and two years later being named principal of the middle school there.

“As middle school principal, I’m most proud of having seen the school removed from the School in Need of Improvement list (S-E Middle School had been a SINI school for two years prior to Lee coming aboard),” Clark said. “We came off the list after my first year.

Clark also pointed to leading the transition from traditional to block scheduling and forming a shared decision-making team at the middle school level among her high points.

“I was drawn to OA because I consistently read, hear and see news about the district that shows this as being a progressive, innovative and technologically oriented district,” Clark said. “The facilities are beautiful and the residents take great pride in their community.”

Clark, born and raised in Michigan, has two children (Andy and Shayna, ages 12 and 9) and has lived in Binghamton the past 15 years. She mentioned home improvements as one way she stays busy (and that her children believe their house will sink if she adds one more piece of tile). She said she also enjoys golfing and traveling.

Tom Beatty

Beatty will serve as assistant principal at OFA, taking over that role as Willy Davis, OFA dean of students, enters retirement.

Beatty, a 10-year veteran teacher, has served as the department chairman for social studies at Maine-Endwell, as well as receiving a national award for teaching. He has also been recognized by WIVT (local Channel 34) as their Educator of the Week.

Beatty holds degrees from Oswego, Binghamton University and Cortland State in education and administration. He has been a varsity wrestling coach, and as a student-athlete himself, he was a decorated all-state NCAA wrestler. He has also been a motivational speaker for character education at a variety of venues.

“I’m excited about coming to Owego because I feel it’s a district on the rise,” Beatty said, “and with my background and skills, I think I have much to contribute to Owego’s culture.”

Beatty and his wife Andrea have 2-year-old twins, Madeline and Joseph.

Beatty lists his hobbies as hunting and fishing, as well as hiking with his dog, Winston.

Joe Palladino

As Tom Bryant (OFA Class of 1974) retires from the athletic director post at OFA, he is replaced by another home-grown product, 1988 OFA graduate Joe Palladino.

Palladino has been the assistant principal at Candor Junior/Senior High School the past three years. Prior to that, he worked as a guidance counselor at Johnson City, as a teacher and coach in Texas and as a counselor for a community college in New Jersey. The pull to come home was a strong one for Palladino.

“I was actually coached by Tom Bryant in football,” Palladino said, “and I had a great experience at Owego. All through high school, I thought I was treated very fairly.

“When the opportunity arose to come back and be a part of the district, I was really excited. The main allure for me was to come back, and to give back to the district that treated me so well.”

Palladino and his wife Carolyn have two children – Sophia (2) and Joseph Angelo (7 months).

Palladino may be remembered by football fans as a running back for two OFA teams in the fall seasons of 1986 and 1987. Those teams lost a total of two games.

“I enjoyed my experiences playing at Owego and then at Ithaca College,” said Palladino. “We had a good group of coaches and athletes at OFA.”

Palladino went on to play for Ithaca. During his time there, the Bombers won two Division III national championships. Palladino said he was a minor role player when the team won its title his freshman year, but as a senior, Palladino was the team’s starting strong safety. He recorded nine tackles and grabbed two interceptions as Ithaca defeated Dayton 34-20.

“My best experience there was to have been coached by Jim Butterfield,” Palladino said of is former Ithaca mentor. “He was a great role model and a great educator, both on and away from the field. He was a great leader and a great motivator. I’m thankful for having been able to be a part of that. It was a special time.”

Palladino laughed when asked about how he occupies his spare time.

“Having kids, your priorities change so much,” he said. “I just love hanging out with my wife and kids. And I’ve been known, once or twice, to play some golf, which is good for peace of mind.”



	Meet Owego Apalachin's Four New Administrators Four new administrators will join the Owego Apalachin district this summer, moving into the positions of Owego Apalachin Middle School principal, Owego Elementary School principal, Owego Free Academy assistant principal and OFA athletic director. Joining OA: Laurie McKeveny, Jill Clark, Tom Beatty and Joe Palladino. Laurie McKeveny McKeveny will step in a principal at Owego Elementary School as George Thearle enters retirement. Being in an elementary school setting may seem like coming home, to a degree, considering that McKeveny said her teaching career actually began when she was just 5 years old. “I played school every day. Finally, when I was old enough for college, I attended SUNY Cortland and became certified as a teacher in elementary education, early secondary English and secondary English,” McKeveny said. She then received her master’s degree in reading K-12 from Binghamton University. McKeveny’s first position in education was at Broome Community College, where she stayed 13 years, teaching reading and study skills courses. “My direction changed when I applied for a Reading Recovery job at Johnson City Schools,” she said. “I then received reading recovery training and taught first-graders.” Afterward, she taught children from kindergarten through fourth grade, either through reading intervention or through team teaching. The past year and a half McKeveny obtained her administrative degree from Cortland. “One of the things that drew me to Owego Apalachin is the strong commitment to literacy and to lifelong learning by both students and staff,” McKeveny said. “I believe that there are no limits to learning. Every student is gifted in his or her own unique way. “My goal as an administrator is to be responsive to the needs of the students, and those I work with – teachers and staff, parents and other administrators,” she said. “The question that will be at the heart of all my decisions will be, “What is best for students?” McKeveny and her husband have three sons “who are all becoming young men now,” she said. “We hope we have instilled in them the values and beliefs we hold dear. Family is very important to us,” McKeveny said. “Creating a sense of family in our school is very important as well. I hope to create an environment where the children I impact at OES are challenged, but also feel valued and safe. “Most importantly, I hope to instill a sense of hope, where no dream is impossible.” Jill Clark Clark takes over as Owego Apalachin Middle School principal as Bob Devan moves into the district’s guidance department. (Heather Kotula will transfer from the high school guidance department to OAMS to replace Tari Coyne-Horton, who has retired.) Clark has been a school administrator the past five years, beginning that tenure as assistant principal at Sherburne-Earlville, and two years later being named principal of the middle school there. “As middle school principal, I’m most proud of having seen the school removed from the School in Need of Improvement list (S-E Middle School had been a SINI school for two years prior to Lee coming aboard),” Clark said. “We came off the list after my first year. Clark also pointed to leading the transition from traditional to block scheduling and forming a shared decision-making team at the middle school level among her high points. “I was drawn to OA because I consistently read, hear and see news about the district that shows this as being a progressive, innovative and technologically oriented district,” Clark said. “The facilities are beautiful and the residents take great pride in their community.” Clark, born and raised in Michigan, has two children (Andy and Shayna, ages 12 and 9) and has lived in Binghamton the past 15 years. She mentioned home improvements as one way she stays busy (and that her children believe their house will sink if she adds one more piece of tile). She said she also enjoys golfing and traveling. Tom Beatty Beatty will serve as assistant principal at OFA, taking over that role as Willy Davis, OFA dean of students, enters retirement. Beatty, a 10-year veteran teacher, has served as the department chairman for social studies at Maine-Endwell, as well as receiving a national award for teaching. He has also been recognized by WIVT (local Channel 34) as their Educator of the Week. Beatty holds degrees from Oswego, Binghamton University and Cortland State in education and administration. He has been a varsity wrestling coach, and as a student-athlete himself, he was a decorated all-state NCAA wrestler. He has also been a motivational speaker for character education at a variety of venues. “I’m excited about coming to Owego because I feel it’s a district on the rise,” Beatty said, “and with my background and skills, I think I have much to contribute to Owego’s culture.” Beatty and his wife Andrea have 2-year-old twins, Madeline and Joseph. Beatty lists his hobbies as hunting and fishing, as well as hiking with his dog, Winston. Joe Palladino As Tom Bryant (OFA Class of 1974) retires from the athletic director post at OFA, he is replaced by another home-grown product, 1988 OFA graduate Joe Palladino. Palladino has been the assistant principal at Candor Junior/Senior High School the past three years. Prior to that, he worked as a guidance counselor at Johnson City, as a teacher and coach in Texas and as a counselor for a community college in New Jersey. The pull to come home was a strong one for Palladino. “I was actually coached by Tom Bryant in football,” Palladino said, “and I had a great experience at Owego. All through high school, I thought I was treated very fairly. “When the opportunity arose to come back and be a part of the district, I was really excited. The main allure for me was to come back, and to give back to the district that treated me so well.” Palladino and his wife Carolyn have two children – Sophia (2) and Joseph Angelo (7 months). Palladino may be remembered by football fans as a running back for two OFA teams in the fall seasons of 1986 and 1987. Those teams lost a total of two games. “I enjoyed my experiences playing at Owego and then at Ithaca College,” said Palladino. “We had a good group of coaches and athletes at OFA.” Palladino went on to play for Ithaca. During his time there, the Bombers won two Division III national championships. Palladino said he was a minor role player when the team won its title his freshman year, but as a senior, Palladino was the team’s starting strong safety. He recorded nine tackles and grabbed two interceptions as Ithaca defeated Dayton 34-20. “My best experience there was to have been coached by Jim Butterfield,” Palladino said of is former Ithaca mentor. “He was a great role model and a great educator, both on and away from the field. He was a great leader and a great motivator. I’m thankful for having been able to be a part of that. It was a special time.” Palladino laughed when asked about how he occupies his spare time. “Having kids, your priorities change so much,” he said. “I just love hanging out with my wife and kids. And I’ve been known, once or twice, to play some golf, which is good for peace of mind.”