Da'Ron Wilson takes reins as interim superintendent, aims to support students, staff

Da’Ron Wilson has been a teacher's assistant, a teacher, a sergeant, a coach, a principal, a veteran, an administrator, a mentor and a city councilmember.
While his journey in the 33 years and roughly 130 days since graduating Poughkeepsie High School has been varied, his experiences have been guided by a philosophy:
“I am because we are,” he said.
That approach, he said, will likewise serve as a foundation in his new role, guiding a district with an increased focus and awareness on the importance of working with surrounding community groups to increase test scores, graduation rates and holistic support for families to encourage success. 
Wilson was officially sworn in as the Poughkeepsie City School District’s interim superintendent of schools Monday morning.
The longtime executive director of school engagement is a Virginia State University Political Science graduate with master’s degrees in Adolescent Education 7-12 and School Building Leadership and School District Leadership from Mercy College. In 2023, Wilson – who has served as principal or assistant principal in Poughkeepsie buildings of all grade levels – graduated from The School Superintendents Association Howard/Urban Superintendents Academy, one of the most prestigious leadership programs in public education.
Board of Education President Jamar Cummings said Wilson brings to this new role “a wealth of institutional knowledge, experience and established relationships throughout our school community. His understanding of where the district has been, the challenges we have faced and the opportunities ahead is invaluable.” 
The board plans to share details of what will be a national search for a permanent superintendent in the coming weeks.
“The main goal is to set the school district in the right direction for whoever is at the helm,” Wilson said, noting also the ongoing objectives of supporting a cradle-to-career continuum with an emphasis on working with the community. “The overall mission is the Poughkeepsie promise, and that’s what we’re promising to do.”
While becoming superintendent of the district from which he graduated may appear the culmination of a nearly 30-year career, Wilson said the title is not as important as the ability to help enact much-needed transformation.
“Young people in Poughkeepsie, and every community like it, deserve someone who has walked their road and come back to show them the way,” said Wilson, who also serves as the City of Poughkeepsie’s Common Council councilmember at-large, one of various ways he supports the surrounding community. “I never planned on coming back and being the superintendent of the school district, but it shows other students and other people, if you work hard enough you can get to the top.”
Urgency for metamorphosis has already been evident in the four months since Wilson was named deputy superintendent July 1. Tasked with achieving an aligned curriculum within the district, Wilson facilitated the adoption of the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, or HMH, curriculum.
Cummings praised Wilson’s work implementing the curriculum, which he called a “major priority” for the board and “an important step toward strengthening academic consistency and improving student outcomes.
“His ability to move this critical initiative forward so quickly demonstrated the kind of focused, results-driven leadership the board values,” the Board President said.
Supporting staff, maintaining stability
Wilson was sworn in by Board Clerk Becky Torres, with Cummings and Vice President Stacey MacDonald standing beside her.
Wilson replaces Gregory Mott, who has stepped down with the intention to retire at the end of the academic year. Mott will, over the next eight months, assist in the district’s leadership transition while guiding the integration of HMH as executive director of K-8 curriculum implementation and accountability.
Concurrently, the Board of Education intends to move forward with a national search for a new permanent superintendent, a process that the board intends will deeply involve the community, the details of which will be shared in the coming weeks.
“We recognize the importance of getting this decision right, and we are committed to a transparent, inclusive process that gives our families, staff, and community a voice in shaping the future leadership of our district,” Cummings said.
In the meantime, the board expects Wilson to focus on supporting building leaders and staff and maintain continuity, while advancing immediate district priorities.
In a statement, the Poughkeepsie Public School Teachers Association said it “recognizes the importance of maintaining stability and continuity during this transition.
“We look forward to working collaboratively and professionally with (Wilson), guided by open communication, mutual respect and a shared commitment to supporting our students, educators, staff and school community,” the statement read. “We congratulate Mr. Wilson and look forward to meaningful dialogue and collaboration as the district moves forward.”
Dr. David Scott, principal of Clinton Elementary school and president of the Poughkeepsie Public School Administrators Association, said he group is “excited about” Wilson’s “appointment and eager to follow his leadership.
“We have not had someone take on this role that has more knowledge of, or commitment to, our school district than Mr. Wilson,” Scott said, noting he has been a part of four of the five unions that represent the district. “Mr. Wilson's sole focus is on the betterment of every child in the district. If you are someone that wants better for the children of Poughkeepsie then you should be excited about this appointment, because you will not find anyone more committed to that goal than Mr. Wilson.”
CSEA Union President Tye Douglas said his organization extends its congratulations and a warm welcome to the new interim superintendent.
“We look forward to working closely with him to foster a strong working relationship, support our members and ensure a smooth and successful future for our children in the Poughkeepsie City School District. We wish him the very best in this new role and look forward to a productive partnership moving forward.”
Speaking for the Poughkeepsie Public Schools Office Personnel Association, President Sherry McGrath said “I would like to congratulate the newly appointed interim superintendent on assuming this important leadership role within our school district. We look forward to a professional and collaborative relationship with Mr. Wilson moving forward towards shared goals that benefit our school district.”
From student to superintendent and community servant
A member of Poughkeepsie High School’s Class of 1993, Wilson joined the district in 1998 as a substitute teacher and became a teacher’s assistant at Poughkeepsie High School in 2002. He taught U.S. History, Participation in Government and Economics at the secondary level.
After becoming an administrator in 2012, he spent time as an assistant principal for buildings of all grade levels, was principal at Poughkeepsie Middle School during a resurgent time in the building’s history, and was co-principal of the inaugural E-TECH program.
He was named the executive director of school engagement before the 2018-19 school year, a role in which he guided the district’s approach to supporting student achievement and engagement through promoting attendance, creating positive environments and providing supportive resources. He was integral in the creation of the school-based mental health clinicals and the high and middle schools, in partnership with Astor Services, as well as the implementation of the district's social-emotional learning platforms, and the Everyday Labs student support and attendance programs. Wilson was also one of the founders of the Brother 2 Brother program, and now oversees the My Brother’s Keeper program.
While teaching, Wilson was a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As recently as 2020, he served in Kuwait. Fittingly, he was one of the individuals who were instrumental in forming the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Poughkeepsie High School.
Separately, Wilson has also served as a coach for a wide variety of Poughkeepsie district sports teams, from the modified to varsity levels.
Outside of the district, Wilson has long served the city community through advocacy and involvement in a variety of organizations. In addition to the Common Council, he is on the Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet Leadership Council and sits on the board for Community Matters 2. He’s also sat on the board of the Protect the Dream Youth program and Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library, and served as a youth mentor for the R.E.A.L. Skills Network. In recognition of these efforts, he’s received the Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Club Community Service Award, The Beulah Baptist Black Achievers Award, The Black Heritage Committee of the Exempt Firemen’s Association Community Service Award, and The Lincoln Douglass Award, among others.
Cummings noted his roles in the community and as executive director of school engagement were factors in Wilson’s appointment. 
“Through his work with the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet and its cradle-to-career continuum, he has helped build meaningful relationships with community and national partners committed to investing in our students and families,” Cummings said.
“The goal is to make Poughkeepsie one of the top districts in the area,” Wilson said. “That’s always been the goal. Anytime you can work toward that and help your city, that’s the best part of the job.”