Michael Mansfield

During the Dunkirk board of education meeting on Tuesday, held via Zoom, Michael Mansfield was sworn in as the new superintendent of Dunkirk Central Schools.

“I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States,” repeated Mansfield after David Damico, board president. “And the Constitution of the state of New York. I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of superintendent of schools.”

Mansfield was sworn in by Damico at the beginning of the meeting, followed by normal business carried out.

“I want to start by saying a big thank you to Sylvia Root,” said Mansfield. “She included me in (the budget development) and that made a huge difference.”

“She kept an eye on what I had to do when I started.”

Concerning the current pandemic situation, Mansfield said, “Our administrative team, support staff, teachers, parents, and families have all pitched in and I think we’re doing a really outstanding job in a tough situation.”

Damico thanked Sylvia Root, former interim superintendent, for her dedicated service. He also welcomed Mansfield to the team and expressed his excitement about working with him.

Mansfield, a lifelong Chautauqua County resident, started his administrative career in Jamestown Public Schools, where he was an assistant superintendent at the high school for two years. Then once the principalship opened up at Milton J. Fletcher Elementary, he moved over to there.

He was previously serving as superintendent of the Bemus Point school system, where he had been for seven years.