Mr. Kenneth Rizzo
Superintendent of Schools
Berlin Central School District
krizzo@berlincentral.org
P.O. Box 259
Berlin, NY 12022
(518) 658-1500 Option 8 Ext. 1010

 

 

 

As Berlin Central School District’s Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Kenneth Rizzo has dedicated his first official month to listening, communicating, and developing a plan to drive long-term success as well as prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. With school year planning beginning months in advance of summer, Mr. Rizzo attended school board meetings, school community events, administrative gatherings, and listening sessions with staff and stakeholders, collaborating closely with former Interim Superintendent Dr. Long to ensure a seamless transition and grasp current district processes, this past spring.

 “I appreciate the support and guidance Dr. Long provided during my transition throughout the spring,” Mr. Rizzo stated.

Looking ahead, Mr. Rizzo is eager to meet with more staff and community members to understand the district’s needs and offer support. 

Mr. Rizzo is entering the 25th-year of his education career, which includes fourteen years as a teacher and ten years as a building leader. He shared with Berlin CSD staff, ‘My experiences teaching, coaching, and mentoring students have been foundational to my leadership.’

Mr. Rizzo, a graduate of Taconic Hills, discovered his passion for education in high school while working as a summer camp counselor. He pursued this calling at Siena College, where he studied education and volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of the Capital District. 

In 2001, he began his career as a 6th-grade social studies teacher, while earning an M.S. in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from the University at Albany. 

Mr. Rizzo furthered his credentials with School Building Leader and School District Leader certificates from MCLA in 2014 and completed the Future Superintendent Academy through the New York State Council of School Superintendents this past spring.

 

Mr. Rizzo is the youngest of five children and grew up in Hillsdale in a farmhouse directly off Route 22. He currently resides in Averill Park with his wife and five children, ranging from a college freshman to a 6-month-old. Mr. Rizzo and his wife, Sarah, whom he met in high school, love their busy lives and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rizzo enjoys watching sports and is an avid New York Giants and New York Mets fan. In his free time, his hobbies include, cooking, trout fishing, swimming, golf, carpentry, hunting, and splitting wood, appreciating the physical activity and warmth it brings during the cold winter months.

“Joining the Mountaineer family is an honor, and I look forward to the upcoming school year and partnership with our staff, students, families, and the Mountaineer community,” said Rizzo.

Mr. Rizzo can be reached via email at krizzo@berlincentral.org if you have any questions or would just like to say hello. 

Please join us in offering a warm welcome to Mr. Rizzo as he steps into this important role. We look forward to a bright future for our Mountaineers under his leadership!