HANNIBAL, NY – After a year of administrative shuffling in the Hannibal Central School District, next week will start with a new top official at Kenney Middle School.

Patrick Keefe, assistant principal at Hannibal High School, was selected by the board of education to serve as principal at Kenney Middle School during the board’s May 14 meeting.

“We interviewed four candidates,” Superintendent Michael DiFabio said. “Patrick Keefe was the overwhelming choice of the committee.”

Former Kenney principal Rob Berson and assistant principal Kelly Rubley were both been placed on administrative leave from their positions at the school Jan. 18. DiFabio subsequently stepped in to fill the acting principal role.

The Hannibal Board of Education named retired administrator Mary Milcetic as interim principal at Kenney, effective Jan. 28. Keefe was brought to Kenney from the high school to assist Milcetic. Keefe was serving in his first year as assistant principal at the high school.

Burson and Rubley officially resigned from their positions Feb. 29. While the reasons for Berson’s and Rubley’s leave or resignation have never been disclosed, DiFabio stressed that the students at the school were not involved.

Their official resignations launched a search process for a principal and assistant principal for the middle school.

DiFabio explained that Keefe was hired in Hannibal from the Seneca Falls area.

“He has years of experience as an assistant principal, as well as having served as a director of athletics,” he said. “We are proud to have him serve at Kenney Middle.”

DiFabio noted that Keefe’s appointment becomes effective June 1.

The district continues to search for an assistant principal for the school.

“We are in the search process for that position,” DiFabio said.