Dr. Danielle Cook

FREWSBURG — The Frewsburg Central School District has its next superintendent.

During a special meeting held Wednesday, the Board of Education unanimously welcomed Danielle Cook, Ph.D., as the district’s new superintendent. With a rich background as the former superintendent of Randolph Academy Union Free School District and principal at Panama, Cook brings a wealth of experience and a versatile approach to her new role. Her understanding of rural education’s unique challenges and opportunities speaks to her “jack-of-all-trades” mentality.

“Rural schools engage students through meaningful relationships with educators, thus providing a high-quality education,” Dr. Cook said. “It always amazes me how involved rural school students are in their communities. It is not uncommon in a rural school to see a kid involved in multiple sports, clubs and activities, music, and community service. They get to do it all while being highly supported by their community. It is an honor and privilege to be able to lead and be a part of a rural school community that continues to provide meaningful experiences for kids.”

As a graduate of Penn State Behrend in 2010, Danielle Cook earned her B.A. in Psychology, laying the foundation for her future in education. She then furthered her studies at Edinboro University. There, she earned her M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and Ed.S. in School Psychology, which equipped her with a deep understanding of the psychological aspects of education. In 2014, Cook began her role as a Panama Central School District school psychologist.

“My entry point into the educational world was less traditional as a School Psychologist, but it has given me an invaluable perspective,” Dr. Cook said. “My training and background are in human behavior, and I apply this to our number one job as a school, which is ensuring that kids are learning. It has helped me understand the complexity of the human interactions required for all of us to learn together.”

Reflecting on the search process, Larry Lodestro, Frewsburg Central School District Board of Education president, expressed gratitude for the guidance of Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES District Superintendent/CEO Dr. David O’Rourke and the caliber of candidates considered.

“The Frewsburg Central School District has been lucky enough to consider numerous high-quality superintendent candidates,” Lodestro said. “After months of diligent planning, searching, and interviewing, the board of education and district and community groups have collectively found our new superintendent.”

At the end of the process, it was Cook’s proper understanding of what it means to lead a rural school district that aligned with the needs of the Frewsburg community and the Board of Education’s mission to find a “visionary leader who is deeply committed to the success of all students … and has success bringing together a rural school community in a shared vision of excellence”.

“We look forward to our students’ growth and development in the very capable hands of Dr. Danielle Cook,” Lodestro added. “Her previous superintendency made us confident in her ability to hit the ground running on day one.”

From a short distance away, Dr. Cook looked on and appreciated the tight-knit Frewsburg school community, noting it always felt like one put their students’ academic, athletic, and extracurricular success first.

“The rural community circles around its school to ensure every student has a sense of belonging. This notion, which I thought to be true, was only solidified when meeting with stakeholders through the interview process,” Dr. Cook said. “They truly are a supportive school community that puts kids first, which aligns with my core values. I’m excited to be a part of such a strong school community.”

Dr. Cook, a native of the Greater Pittsburgh area, resides in Warren, Pa., with her husband and three children. When she’s not working, she enjoys swimming, running, camping, and, most of all, spending time with her family. She will assume her role as superintendent effective July 1, 2024.