Jowonio School Appointed New Interim Director
The Syracuse school named Will Stanton as the new interim leader following a change in administrative roles.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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Jowonio School in Syracuse has appointed Will Stanton as its Interim Director of Operations, replacing former Interim Executive Director Jennifer Petrie. The leadership transition comes as the institution works to rebuild public trust after the State Office of Children & Family Services revoked its license in June.
Why it matters
The leadership change is part of an effort by the school to address previous concerns regarding child safety and supervision. Following an incident where a child was left unattended in a van, the school is currently operating under a settlement agreement that mandates updated policies and staff training.
Will Stanton brings 19 years of professional experience as an educator to the role. The school remains under state oversight after a child was left unattended in a van for 5 minutes.
The players
Will Stanton
He is the newly appointed Interim Director of Operations who brings 19 years of experience as an educator.
Jennifer Petrie
She is the former Interim Executive Director who vacated her position at the school.
Kate Smith
She serves as the Education Director and is working alongside the new interim leadership to oversee operations.
State Office of Children & Family Services
This is the state regulatory agency that revoked the school license following safety concerns.
The details
Will Stanton is collaborating with Education Director Kate Smith to manage daily operations and implement the terms of a state settlement agreement. The school is also actively recruiting new members to join its Board of Directors to help guide the organization through this transitional period.
Timeline
The State Office of Children & Family Services revoked the school license in June 2026.
A community event was held at Harvey's Garden on October 6, 2026.
Weekly Adventure in Parenting Workshops are scheduled throughout October and November 2026.
Market Landscape
The school must align its operations with New York State child care supervision regulations to maintain its standing within the local educational market. This shift follows a pattern of heightened regulatory scrutiny that has impacted the operational independence of similar private institutions in the region.
Families currently enrolled at the school should expect changes to supervision protocols and staff training requirements as part of the new settlement terms. These updates are intended to ensure consistent safety standards for all children attending the facility.
The takeaway
The appointment of a new interim leader marks a critical step for Jowonio School as it seeks to restore institutional stability. Parents and community members can participate in the upcoming parenting workshops to engage directly with the school's evolving program structure.
What happens next
The school will host weekly Adventure in Parenting Workshops throughout October and November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local leadership updates, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSTM.
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