Frontier Central School District is a school district in the U.S. state of New York. It serves the southern portion of Erie County, New York, and has about 5,500 students, 1,000 employees and six schools. Frontier's mascot is a falcon.
The district was created in the 1950s to serve as a main school district along the edge of Lake Erie, in suburban Buffalo, New York. Currently there are four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. All of the schools in the district are located outside of the village of Hamburg because Hamburg Central School District services the students there. The Frontier District Music Department also hosts an annual event known as a "Spectrum Concert", which showcases all of the band, orchestra, or chorus students in the District. This concert is held at Frontier Central High School.
The district's main athletic rivals are the Bulldogs from Hamburg Central Schools, the Quakers from Orchard Park among others.
Frontier's District Offices are located at 5120 Southwestern Boulevard. The current superintendent is Dr. Bret Apthorpe.
Dr. Bret C. Apthorpe–SuperintendentMs. Colleen Duggan– Interim Assistant Superintendent of InstructionMs. Myra Pinker–Assistant Superintendent of PersonnelMs. Carolyn Robertson–Assistant Superintendent of BusinessMr. Jason Whipple;School Lunch ManagerMs. Amy Brodfuehrer–Teacher on Special Assignment-Director of Pupil Personnel ServicesMs. Gail Lewis–Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel ServicesMr. Timothy Blevins–Transportation SupervisorMr. Richard L. Gray–Athletic DirectorOff. Dennis Horrigan–School Resource OfficerMs. Janet MacGregor Plarr–PresidentMr. Davis Podkulski–Vice PresidentMr. Larry AlbertMr. Patrick BoyleMr. Taz GuishardMr. Martin LalkaMr. David PattonPrevious assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mr. Vernon Heiman–1951-1974 (District Principal - Woodlawn Union Free School, retiredDr. Robert O. Starr–1974-1983 (Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction - Frontier Central School District, retired)Dr. Richard E. Shands–1983-1989 (Superintendent - Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District, named Associate Professor of SUNY New Paltz)Dr. Charles L. Little–1989-1994 (Superintendent - Geneseo Central School District, named Superintendent of Plymouth-Canton Community School District)Dr. Gerald P. Glose–1994-2000 (Assistant Superintendent for Business - Frontier Central School District, retired)Dr. Vincent J. Coppola [interim]–2000 (Superintendent - Corning-Painted Post Central School District, named Interim Superintendent of Grand Island Central School District)Dr. Gary R. Cooper–2000-2004 (Superintendent - Sweet Home Central School District, named Superintendent of Radnor Township School DistrictDr. Elizabeth Bradley [interim]–2004(Assistant Superintendent for Instruction - Frontier Central School District, returned to position)Mr. Robert S. Guiffreda–2004-2006 (Superintendent - Southwestern Central School District, named Superintendent of Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES)Mr. David Kurzawa [interim]–2006-2007 (Superintendent - Pioneer Central School District, retired)Mr. Ronald G. DeCarli–2007-2010 (Superintendent - Akron Central School District, retired)Mr. Vincent Coppola [Interim]–2010-2011Mr. James C. Bodziak–2011-2013 (Superintendent - East Aurora Union Free School District, retired)Mr. Paul Hashem–2013-2014 (Interim Superintendent - Grand Island Central School District, retired)Frontier Central High School is located at 4432 Bayview Road in Hamburg, New York. The high school is attended by students in grades 9-12. The principal is Mr. Jeffrey Sortisio, and the assistant principals are Mrs. Courtney Charleson-Smith, Mr. William McDonagh, and Mr. David Smaczniak.
Frontier High School was opened in 1955, replacing the former Blasdell High School.
Former Principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mr. Wilbur Morgenfeld–1955-1973 (Industrial Arts teacher - Blasdell High School, retired)Mr. Gerald R. Baldelli–1973-1984 (Principal - Amsdell Heights Junior High School, named Assistant Superintendent for Personnel of Frontier Central Schools)Mr. John J. Sullivan–1984-1991 (Director - Frontier Adult Evening School, resigned)Mr. M. Kerry Courtney–1991-1996 (Assistant Principal - Frontier High School, named Principal of Frontier Middle School)Dr. Mary Ann H. Costello–1996-2002 (Assistant Principal - Frontier High School, named Chief Information Officer for Frontier Central Schools)Mr. Michael J. Baumann–2002-2008 (Principal - Maryvale High School, named Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Planning of Sweet Home Central School District)Former Assistant Principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mr. Serofino J. Grottanelli–1965-1984 (Math teacher - Frontier High School, retired)Mr. Edwin R. O'Reilly–1984-1987 (Biology teacher - Frontier High School, retired)Mr. M. Kerry Courtney–1984-1991 (Guidance Counselor - Frontier High School, named Principal of Frontier High School)Mr. John P. Todorof–1987-1992 (English teacher - Lackawanna High School, named Language Arts Coordinator of West Seneca Central School District)Mr. Paul R. Lewandowski–1992-1995 (Assistant Principal - Starpoint High School, died)Dr. Mary Ann Costello–1991-1996 (Assistant Principal - Amherst High School, named Principal of Frontier High School)Dr. Warren F. Crouse–1995-1997 (Principal - Cardinal O'Hara High School, named Principal of West Valley Central School)Mr. Timothy Marong–1996-2001 (Assistant Principal - Depew High School, named Director of Athletics for Frontier Central Schools)Mrs. Anne Trapper-Edwards–1997-2004 (Dean of Attendance - Frontier High School, named Assistant Principal of Frontier Middle School)Ms. Colleen M. Duggan–2001-2002 (Administrative Intern - Frontier High School, named Assistant Principal of Frontier Middle School)Mr. Robert W. Pollaro–2002-2004 (Social Studies teacher - Maryvale High School, named Social Studies Coordinator of North Colonie High School)Mr. Anthony Scanzuso–2004-2009 (Business teacher - Lancaster High School, named Assistant Principal of Williamsville East High School)Mr. Peter G. Frank–2009-2012 (Physics teacher - Clarence High School, named Assistant Principal of Maryvale High School)Frontier Middle School (formerly Amsdell Heights Junior High School (AHJH), attended by students in grades 7-9, and later Amsdell Heights Middle School) is located at 2751 Amsdell Road. The middle school is attended by students in grades 6-8. The current principal is Mr. Ryan Sikorski, the assistant principals are Mrs. Anne Edward and Ms. Deanne Lester.
Former principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mr. Leslie R. Hawley–1965-1971 (Principal - Blasdell Junior High School, retired)Mr. Gerald Baldelli–1971-1973 (Math teacher - Amsdell Heights Junior High School, named Principal of Frontier Senior High School)Mr. Rodney E. Will–1973-1996 (Science teacher - Amsdell Heights Junior High School, retired)Mr. M. Kerry Courtney–1996-2010 (Principal - Frontier High School, retired)Ms. Margaret Jones-Carey–2010-2012 (Director of Regional Services - Erie 1 BOCES, named Principal of Randolph Academy)Mr. Paul Hashem [interim]–2012 (Interim Superintendent - Springville-Griffith Institute Central School District, named Interim Superintendent of Grand Island Central School District)Mrs. Barbara A. Shea–2012-2015 (Assistant Principal - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural Institute, named Director of Reading of Buffalo Public Schools)Former assistant principals
Mr. Paul J. Carrigg–1965-1986 (Assistant Principal - Blasdell Junior High School, retired)Mr. Richard Emer–1986-1996Mr. Paul M. Connelly–1996-1999 (Special Education teacher - Orchard Park High School, named Assistant Superintendent of Personnel of Frontier Central School District)Ms. Mary Mallon–1999-2000 (Teacher - Williamsville Central School District, named Principal of East Elementary School)Mr. Gary J. Cerne–2000-2004 (House Principal - Orchard Park High School, named Principal of Springville Middle School)Ms. Kimberly Moritz–2001-2002 (Dean of Students/Instructional Technology Coordinator - Pine Valley Central School, named Principal of Randolph Junior/Senior High School)Ms. Colleen Duggan–2002-2004 (Assistant Principal - Frontier High School, named Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Frontier Central School District)Ms. Myra Pinker–2004-2008 (Guidance Counselor - Pioneer High School, named Assistant Superintendent for Personnel of Frontier Central School District)Mr. William J. McDonagh–2008-2009 (Physical Education teacher - Springville Elementary School, named Principal of Cloverblank Elementary School)Mr. Erich A. Poletz–2009-2012 (Guidance Counselor - Cattaraugus Little Valley Central School District, named Assistant Principal of Williamsville South High School)Mr. Keith M. Crombie–2012-2015 (Science teacher - Eden Junior/Senior High School, named Assistant Principal of Amherst Middle School)Mr. Jason A. Iwankow [interim]–2015 (Physical Education teacher - Blasdell Elementary School, returned to position)Big Tree Elementary School is located at 4460 Bayview Road. The elementary school is attended by students in grades K-5. The principal is Mrs. Julia Bermingham.
Big Tree Elementary opened in 1993, replacing the former Blasdell Annex, Wanakah Elementary, and Woodlawn Elementary Schools.
Former principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mr. Donald W. Griffin–1993-1999 (Principal - Woodlawn Elementary School, retired)Ms. Joanne C. Saniewski–1999-2016 (Principal - Pinehurst Elementary School, retired)Blasdell Elementary School is located at 3780 South Park Avenue. The elementary school is attended by students in grades K-5. The principal is Mrs. Linda Dansa.
Former principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mr. Donald J. Dix–1953-1973 (Principal - Lake View Elementary School, retired)Mrs. Patricia Bulger–1973-1974 (Principal - Woodlawn Elementary School, named Supervisor of Elementary Education for Frontier Central Schools)Mr. Stephen J. Maricic, Jr.–1974-1993 (Assistant Principal - Northwood Elementary School, named Principal of Federal Programs for Frontier Central School District)Mrs. Dolores M. Gaeta-Prezyna–1993-2008 (Principal - Blasdell Annex, retired)Cloverbank Elementary School is located at 2760 Cloverbank Road. The elementary school is attended by students in grades K-5. The principal is Mrs. Renee Kumiega.
Cloverbank Elementary opened in 1959.
Former principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mrs. Hazel Burley–1959-1963 (Principal - Wanakah School, retired)Mr. William M. Stengel–1963-1978 (Director of Adult Education - Frontier Central School District, retired)Dr. Carol LoVullo–1978-2003 (Principal - Newfane Elementary School, retired)Dr. Linda A. Marszalek–2003-2009 (Assistant Principal - West Street Elementary School, named Dean of Academics of Buffalo Academy of Science)Mr. William McDonagh–2009-2012 (Assistant Principal - Frontier Middle School, named Assistant Principal of Frontier High School)Mrs. Michelle L. Siebert–2012-2015 (Assistant Principal - Cleveland Hill Elementary School, named Principal of Seneca Elementary School)Pinehurst Elementary School is located at 6050 Fairway Court. The elementary school is attended by students in grades K-5. The principal is Mrs. Jennifer Makowski.
Pinehurst Elementary opened in 1956.
Former Principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure noted in parentheses
Mrs. Hildegard Bagg–1956-1977 (Teacher - Athol Springs School, retired)Mr. Robert W. Christmann–1977-1982 (Assistant Elementary Principal - Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District, named Principal of Woodlawn Elementary School)Mr. Andrew F. Podlucky–1982-1991 (Principal - Woodlawn Elementary School, retired)Ms. Joanne Saniewski–1991-1999 (Assistant Principal - Wanakah Elementary School, named Principal of Big Tree Elementary School)Ms. Mary Haggerty–1999-2002 (Administrative Intern - Sweet Home Central School District, named Principal of Huth Elementary School)Mr. Larry J. Leaven–2002-2010 (Assistant Principal - Churchville-Chili Intermediate School, named Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction of Sweet Home Central School District)Mrs. Dolores Prezyna [interim]–2010 (Principal - Blasdell Elementary School, retired)Frontier Educational CenterFrontier Community Learning CenterBig TreeBlasdellCloverbankPinehurstFrontier MiddleFrontier High
