Damon Finazzo

Experience

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  Villa Maria Elementary School

  Jul 2009 - Jun 2017

  School Principal

  Increased student enrollment by 35% during 7-year tenure to reach the 3rd highest enrollment in the school’s 124-year history by consistently offering an inclusive Catholic environment, progressive programs, rigorous academics, and open-door policies resulting in high levels of student and parent satisfaction.Decreased sponsorship subsidy from 25% to 5% of operating budget in 7 years by increasing revenue, improving collection efforts on overdue accounts, and carefully monitoring expense items.Increased cash reserves by 350%.Implemented first curriculum pacing and standards alignment in the Erie Catholic schools.Developed and executed exceptional special needs support program, foreign language curriculum, arts integration initiative, and service-learning opportunities.Increased technology access through installation of fiber optics cable schoolwide, inclusion of wireless connectivity, and addition of new devices to include over 100 mobile units and 50 desktop units. Show less

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  Erie Catholic School System

  Feb 2017 - Jan 2021

  President

  Led the merger and acquisition of 9 independent schools (PreK-8), into a system of 6 school campuses under one central office. Within the first year, interviewed over 250 teachers and staff members, collaborated with 6 building principals, and established new faculties and staff in each of the 6 new school buildings. Gathered input and feedback from every employee and board member to establish a new overarching mission, vision, and patron saint for this new system. Managed a multi-million dollar building renovation of each of the 6 campuses to improve school safety, middle school science resources and system-wide student and teacher technology access. Effectively identified and executed an advancement opportunity with special purpose entity donations in the last quarter of 2020 to singlehandedly raise almost $100,000.From March 2020-January 2021, orchestrated quick, efficient, and effective plans in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. To conclude the 2020 school year (March-June), coordinated all Preschool-Grade 8 classrooms to pivot to fully remote education for their students while maintaining high standards for student learning and performance. To start the 2021 school year (August-January), lead a Return-to-School and Return-to-Play plan that enabled fully in-person and fully synchronous remote education to occur simultaneously, five days per week for all students (Preschool-Grade8), and for all sports activities to practice and compete safely and fairly in indoor and outdoor facilities. Show less

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  Larson Texts, Inc.

  Apr 2021 - now

  Vice President, Math Education