Jake Taft, who has an extensive administrative background in education and leadership has been appointed the new Executive Director of Human Resources for the Newark Central School District.
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His August 20th appointment by the Newark Board of Education became effective August 25th. He filled the vacancy created by Christine Cravatta who recently left the district to become the Director of Recruitment and Retention in the Rush-Henrietta School District.
Taft is working alongside Michael Nolan, School Personnel Assistant and Dawna Dreas, Human Resources Secretary.
“I am learning that there are so many great things happening here in Newark in just a few short days since I started,” Taft said. “I am really impressed with the faculty and staff that I have met thus far and am eager to roll up my sleeves with the rest of the team to provide high quality HR services that will ultimately support the kids. I am excited and look forward to working alongside our principals, teachers, and staff. I can already tell that Newark has a lot to offer, not only our students, but also the community.
“I am excited to welcome Jake to his new role,” said Superintendent Susan Hasenauer. “His previous experience will allow him to hit the ground running at the busiest time of the year! I believe he will be a perfect fit for our team.”
Taft has a long and extensive administrative career of 20+ years at all levels of public education. After teaching 6th grade in New York City, he and his family moved to Western New York to become a Jr/Sr High School Principal in the Royalton-Hartland Central School District,
Soon afterward, he was promoted to Middle School Principal. Taft also has served as an elementary and high school principal. Additionally, he was program director for the Governor’s P-TECH initiative in Lackawanna City Schools as well as Superintendent of Schools for Alexander Central Schools.
Much of his expertise centers around operations and systems with high levels of communication and collaboration. As Superintendent, he was responsible for navigating the vastly shifting landscape of education during COVID, while simultaneously and successfully negotiating multiple union contracts, passing, by voter approval, a $15 million Capital Improvement Project, expanding the roster of student engagement opportunities, broadening the scope of the summer enrichment program to reach all students in K-12, and a full K-12 redesign of the district’s RTI services.
Taft earned both his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and his Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Niagara University.
He possesses permanent teacher certifications in Birth-2, Grades 1-6, and Special Education. His administrative certification from Touro College is also permanent in School Administration and Supervision as well as School District Administration. He recently completed his course work from SUNY Cortland and earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies for School District Business Leadership.
He and wife Jessica, a registered nurse, live near Buffalo. The couple has been married for 25 years. Their oldest daughter, Caitlin, is an Associate at an accounting firm in Cincinnati; daughter Elizabeth is a junior education major at University of Dayton and their son, Michael, is a sophomore Geo-science major at the University of Dayton; and son Sean is a high school senior.
Taft and his family are avid travelers both domestic and abroad and enjoy time at Keuka Lake with family.