Virgiglio, diocesan chancellor and superintendent of schools, to take job with state

Named to executive position with the New York State Education Department after 20 years with the Diocese

Giovanni Virgiglio, Jr. Superintendent of Schools

Giovanni Virgiglio, Jr., Ed.D, who currently serves as Chancellor and Superintendent of Schools, has been appointed to an executive position with the New York State Education Department following 20 years of service to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has accepted Dr. Virgiglio’s resignation, effective August 15.

In his new role as Executive Coordinator and Director of Religious and Independent School Support, Virgiglio will continue at the state level critical work on behalf of non-public schools and students that has been at the heart of his ministry for two decades, from his earliest days as a Catholic school teacher in Albany to his later roles as a Catholic school principal and superintendent.

“As teacher, principal, superintendent, chancellor and advisor, Dr. Giovanni Virgiglio has served us with great distinction. His wisdom, professionalism, good counsel — and, most of all, presence — will be much missed,” Bishop Scharfenberger said. “I, along with our staff, have had the pleasure to befriend and collaborate with Giovanni. We take heart in the continuation of our friendship and wish him much success in his new position.”

Virgiglio, who holds a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from Russell Sage College, began his teaching career at the former St. Casimir Regional Catholic School in Albany in 2003. In 2008, he was named principal of St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam, where he remained until 2015 when he was named Associate Superintendent for the Diocese of Albany. After a brief stint as Interim Superintendent, he was named Superintendent of Schools in 2017 following a national search and appointed Diocesan Chancellor in 2018.  

“Nobody has done more than Giovanni to truly bring our schools together. He is tremendously attentive and supportive of our school community. We will miss his leadership and vision,” said Father. Robert Longobucco, Vicar General and Vicar for Faith Formation and Education for the Diocese. “While it will be undoubtedly a loss for our Diocese, I appreciate how qualified Giovanni is for this position and the impact he will make on a state level. He is still very much a man on a mission that has helped transform our schools.”

As Executive Coordinator and Director of the Office of Religious and Independent School Support (ORISS), Virgiglio’s primary responsibility will be to assist and support 1,800 religious and independent schools across New York State, 380,000 students and 40,000 educators, and administer more than $400 million in programs earmarked for religious and independent schools. ORISS also provides technical assistance in the areas of school start-up, operations, high school registration, professional development, substantial equivalency, and funding opportunities, as well as provides guidance to families who choose to homeschool.           

Since becoming superintendent, Virgiglio has worked to develop a clear vision for Catholic education among the 19 schools across the 14-county Diocese. When the COVID pandemic wreaked havoc on education across the state, Virgiglio and his team opened Catholic schools in the region as soon as it was safe to do so and kept students in the classroom, providing critical in-person education that is so vital not only to academic growth but to social and emotional development. In addition, his visionary leadership led to the newest model of Catholic education in the region: Catholic Central School in Latham, a pre-K thru grade 12 school that serves as a reminder of the opportunities that exist when schools and leadership work in collaboration, as well as the expansion of early childhood education services through the establishment of universal pre-kindergarten partnerships with local school districts.

“Since my early days as a classroom teacher I have always aspired to support more students — first within the four walls of my classroom and eventually across our entire Diocese,” Virgiglio said. “I am truly humbled to be provided with the opportunity in this new role to extend that pursuit to the students across New York State. I am most grateful to all those with whom I worked throughout my tenure who inspired me on this path and collaborated with me to put students first and make our schools second to none.”

During his tenure as Superintendent of Schools, Virgiglio has led a system of elementary and secondary schools serving approximately 5,000 students, 500 teachers, 100 support staff and 30 administrators. While serving in the Catholic School Office, he also coordinated the system-wide accreditation and subsequent re-accreditation of schools by Cognia Global Accreditation Commission, a national organization that evaluates and approves school accreditation, making the Diocese of Albany first among all the dioceses in New York State to achieve this status. Most recently, he is responsible for the development of the Diocese’s first operational vitality school report card, a quantitative tool that captures metrics to support data-driven decision-making in six domains — demographics, school finance, enrollment, academics, community engagement and facilities.

In addition to his doctorate, Virgiglio holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration, a Master of Science in Special Education 1-6, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, all from The College of St. Rose. He currently serves as a member of the Commissioner’s Advisory Council for Non-Public Schools for the New York State Education Department. He holds New York State certifications in School District Administration, Special Education and Elementary Education.

The Diocese of Albany in conjunction with the Albany Diocesan School Board and Catholic School Office will be working to find a new Superintendent of Schools in the coming months. An interim leader will be identified in time for the start of the new academic year.