Ballston Spa interim school superintendent reflects on busy first month

Dr. Gianleo Duca is a familiar face in Ballston Spa. This is his eighth year with the district. He served as assistant principal, and later principal, at the high school. He quickly became interim superintendent right at the start of this school year.

The previous leader, Daniel Connor, resigned for personal reasons the day before school started. Superintendent Ken Slentz left over the summer to take a new position downstate. That’s left Duca to deal with many issues in a very short amount of time.

Concerns of a school shooting threat circulated on social media September 18. It ended with a 14-year-old boy under arrest. The threat was not credible.

There’s also a shortage of bus drivers, which is leading to some routes being cancelled. That included two bus routes on Thursday.

Before Duca took over, math teacher Crim Trerise was arrested, accused of having sexual contact with four different minors.

NewsChannel 13 has learned Trerise just resigned and retired.

Meantime, Duca is also working on policy 7552 or student gender and identity. It addresses students being able to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender expression.

Duca wants to assure parents with all of these challenges that safety is his top priority.

Hear his message for them by watching the video of Subrina Dhammi’s story.