After eight years of guiding the South Glens Falls Central School District, Superintendent Kristine Orr has shared that she will retire on or about June 30, 2026. Her journey has been defined by a deep commitment to students and a vision for what education can become.
Under her leadership, SGFCSD has grown into a school community recognized for innovation, collaboration, and a relentless focus on student success. Orr’s work has helped shape classrooms into places where creativity thrives, technology empowers, and partnerships strengthen the bonds between schools and families.
"It has been the honor of my career to serve the South Glens Falls community as their superintendent," Orr reflected. "The decisions I’ve made have been guided by what is best for our students, and I am deeply grateful for the trust and support of our staff, families, and the wider Bulldog community."
Her retirement marks the close of a remarkable chapter, but the impact of her leadership will continue to resonate through the achievements of students and the strength of the school community she helped build.
Highlights of Superintendent Orr’s Tenure:
Updated the district mission statement to establish a unified vision and core values.
Oversaw the creation of the Portrait of a Bulldog attributes that aligned with the district’s mission and vision.
Worked to get free breakfast and lunch for every SGF student starting in the 2023–24 school year.
Expanded extracurricular opportunities, including athletics, the arts, and a free summer program for families.
Created a budget plan that has provided free school supplies for every student in grades UPK through 5th grade.
Strengthened mental health supports with Social Emotional Learning district days, expanded staffing, trauma-informed training for staff, and online therapy access for our students.
Successfully led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring remote learning access, countywide collaboration, and the safe reopening of schools.
Established a regional virtual K–5 school serving more than 400 students across three districts during the 2020–21 school year.
Connected all district initiatives to three guiding themes: safety, mental health, and future-ready learning.
Increased the district’s graduation rate from 83% to 91% over five years.
Ensured district completion of a $58 million capital project that was under budget and finalized a $33.6 million project with no additional tax impact.
Negotiated multiple-year employment contracts with teachers, administrators, and staff unions.
Managed a $74 million General and Special Aid budget with fiscal accountability.
Secured major grant funding, including $2.5 million for mental health initiatives and $6.1 million in ESSER funds.
Led South Glens Falls to join the League of Innovative Schools, one of only 19 districts in New York recognized nationally for innovation.
“I am proud of the progress we have made together in South Glens Falls,” Orr said. “Our focus on innovation, student-centered learning, and community partnerships has created a foundation that will continue to support extraordinary success for years to come.”
Orr has served as the South Glens Falls Central School District Superintendent of Schools since July 2018. Prior to this role, she was the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction from 2012–2018, where she oversaw curriculum, instruction, and technology programs for more than 3,000 students, leading efforts to strengthen academic programming and instructional practices.
Before joining South Glens Falls, Orr held several leadership positions in the Queensbury Union Free School District, including high school principal (2011–2012), director of secondary curriculum (2007–2011), and assistant principal (2004–2007).
Her career began in the classroom as a mathematics teacher, first at the Johnstown City School District (1994–1995), then at the Stillwater Central School District (1996–1999), and later at Queensbury (1999–2004).
“Superintendent Orr’s retirement closes a transformative era in South Glens Falls CSD history. Her leadership has left a lasting legacy of academic excellence and visionary progress,” said Board of Education President John Farrell. “Her work here will continue, with an assurance that students will continue to graduate prepared for college, careers, and life beyond.”
The South Glens Falls Central School District Board of Education will begin a superintendent search in the coming weeks. Information on the search will be made available on the district’s website.