Mark Laurrie-Superintendent, Niagara Falls School District

In 1993, Laurrie became the Dean of Students at Gaskill. He was named assistant principal three years later. 

In 1997, he shifted over to Maple Avenue Elementary School as principal and was later assigned the same post at Niagara Middle School. Halfway through his first year there, former Falls Superintendent Carmen Granto selected him to become one of four “house” principals at what was then the new Niagara Falls High School building on Porter Road. 

Laurrie completed one year at the high school before being transferred to the district’s central office. In 2004, he returned to the high school as a house principal before being named the district’s chief education administrator. 

Laurrie held the post through the 2008-09 school year before becoming deputy superintendent. He served in that capacity until being officially elevated to superintendent, replacing Cynthia Bianco.