June 12, 2026

It is with great enthusiasm that I write to share important news regarding the leadership team at Emmet Belknap Intermediate School for the 2026-2027 school year.

Effective July 1, 2026, Dr. Kathleen Bailey-DiVito will serve as Principal of Emmet Belknap Intermediate School, and Mr. Joseph Baynes will serve as Assistant Principal.

Dr. Bailey-DiVito currently serves as Principal of Aaron Mossell Junior High School, a position she has held for the past two years. Prior to joining the Lockport City School District, she served as Director of Education for Empower in Niagara Falls. She also held the position of Area Senior Director for Portland Public Schools in Portland, Oregon, where she supervised 16 K-8 school principals. In addition, Dr. Bailey-DiVito has served as an adjunct faculty member at Portland State University and Lewis & Clark College and previously served as a principal within Portland Public Schools.

Throughout her nearly 30-year career in education, Dr. Bailey-DiVito has served in a variety of leadership and instructional roles, including assistant principal, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) coach, professional development provider, reading specialist, and classroom educator. Her extensive experience and commitment to student success make her exceptionally well-positioned to lead Emmet Belknap Intermediate School.

Mr. Baynes currently serves as Assistant Principal at Aaron Mossell Junior High School. Prior to joining Lockport, he served as an Administrator of Special Education for Norwalk Public Schools and as a Special Education Coordinator for Greenwich Public Schools. Combined, he spent nearly four years supporting students, families, and staff in those leadership roles. Earlier in his career, Mr. Baynes served as both an elementary and special education teacher for approximately ten years.

Together, Dr. Bailey - DiVito and Mr. Baynes have made significant contributions to the Aaron Mossell Junior High School community. Working alongside faculty and staff, they have helped strengthen instructional practices, support school improvement efforts, and advance initiatives focused on improving student outcomes. Their collaborative leadership, commitment to students, and focus on continuous improvement have positively impacted the school community.

We are excited about the experience, knowledge, and leadership that Dr. Bailey-DiVito and Mr. Baynes will bring to Emmet Belknap Intermediate School. We look forward to the positive impact they will have on students, staff, and families as they assume their new roles.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Bailey-DiVito and Mr. Baynes to the Emmet Belknap Intermediate School community.

In the coming weeks, the district will provide opportunities for students, families, staff, and community members to meet both Bailey-DiVito and Mr. Baynes. Additional information regarding these meet-and-greet events will be shared as details become available.

Thank you for your continued support of Emmet Belknap Intermediate School and the Lockport City School District. We value our partnership with families and look forward to working together to ensure a successful 2026-2027 school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mathis Calvin III
Superintendent of Schools
Lockport City School District