The DATAG Excellence in Education Award, the Dr. Gerald E. DeMauro Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the educational performance of students by promoting data-driven practices. The nominee may or may not be a member of the DATAG organization.
Congratulations to Bhavin Gandhi, East Ramapo CSD
2026 Gerald DeMauro Award Recipient
Bhavin Gandhi is the Assistant Superintendent for Technology & Information Management at East Ramapo Central School District and an accomplished educational technology leader with more than 15 years of experience in information systems, cybersecurity, infrastructure management, student data systems, instructional technology leadership, and educational operations. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his innovative leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to leveraging technology to improve educational opportunities and operational efficiency for students, staff, and families.
Mr. Gandhi oversees the District’s Technology & Information Management Department, including instructional and operational technology systems, state and federal data reporting, student information systems, HR and financial systems, cybersecurity, communications, and technology support services. He also serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet and manages a multi-million-dollar departmental budget. In addition, he serves as the District Data Privacy Officer under New York State Education Law 2-d, helping ensure compliance, data security, and the protection of student and staff information across the District.
A lifelong learner and advocate for innovation in education, Mr. Gandhi has pursued advanced professional training in educational leadership, technology systems, cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital transformation initiatives. His expertise bridges both instructional and operational leadership, allowing him to successfully align technology systems with teaching, learning, communication, and districtwide organizational goals.
Throughout his leadership in East Ramapo, Mr. Gandhi has focused on using technology to expand equitable opportunities for students and staff. His leadership was instrumental in the District’s successful 1:1 Chromebook initiative, districtwide Wi-Fi expansion, cloud-based technology migrations, enhanced cybersecurity systems, and modernized communication tools that strengthened family and community engagement. He has also led major infrastructure upgrades that improved network reliability, connectivity, and access to digital learning resources throughout the District.
In addition to his technology leadership, Mr. Gandhi has played a key role in improving student attendance practices across the District. By strategically utilizing attendance data and analytics, he has supported schools in addressing chronic absenteeism and improving Average Daily Attendance. He also collaborated with Renaissance and eSchoolData to implement automated teacher attendance notifications, significantly improving the timeliness and accuracy of attendance recording throughout the District.
Mr. Gandhi is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to supporting both students and staff. His work continues to influence educational technology practices throughout the region, and he remains committed to creating innovative, secure, and equitable learning environments for all students.
As Mr. Gandhi prepares to receive the Dr. Gerald E. DeMauro Award, his dedication, innovation, and commitment to educational excellence continue to make a lasting impact on the East Ramapo community and beyond.
Mr. Gandhi oversees the District’s Technology & Information Management Department, including instructional and operational technology systems, state and federal data reporting, student information systems, HR and financial systems, cybersecurity, communications, and technology support services. He also serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet and manages a multi-million-dollar departmental budget. In addition, he serves as the District Data Privacy Officer under New York State Education Law 2-d, helping ensure compliance, data security, and the protection of student and staff information across the District.
A lifelong learner and advocate for innovation in education, Mr. Gandhi has pursued advanced professional training in educational leadership, technology systems, cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital transformation initiatives. His expertise bridges both instructional and operational leadership, allowing him to successfully align technology systems with teaching, learning, communication, and districtwide organizational goals.
Throughout his leadership in East Ramapo, Mr. Gandhi has focused on using technology to expand equitable opportunities for students and staff. His leadership was instrumental in the District’s successful 1:1 Chromebook initiative, districtwide Wi-Fi expansion, cloud-based technology migrations, enhanced cybersecurity systems, and modernized communication tools that strengthened family and community engagement. He has also led major infrastructure upgrades that improved network reliability, connectivity, and access to digital learning resources throughout the District.
In addition to his technology leadership, Mr. Gandhi has played a key role in improving student attendance practices across the District. By strategically utilizing attendance data and analytics, he has supported schools in addressing chronic absenteeism and improving Average Daily Attendance. He also collaborated with Renaissance and eSchoolData to implement automated teacher attendance notifications, significantly improving the timeliness and accuracy of attendance recording throughout the District.
Mr. Gandhi is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to supporting both students and staff. His work continues to influence educational technology practices throughout the region, and he remains committed to creating innovative, secure, and equitable learning environments for all students.
As Mr. Gandhi prepares to receive the Dr. Gerald E. DeMauro Award, his dedication, innovation, and commitment to educational excellence continue to make a lasting impact on the East Ramapo community and beyond.
2025 DeMauro Award Winner, Dr. Laura Samulski-Peters
Dr. Laura Samulski-Peters has more than 25 years of experience in teaching and leading in the Buffalo City School District. Currently, she serves as Assistant Superintendent in the Office of Shared Accountability as well as the district’s Data Protection Officer. In this role she oversees assessments, accountability, school review, appr, internal diagnostic assessments, data requests, statistical analysis of district data, state reporting, the student information system and the development and maintenance of the district’s Data Dashboard.
2024 DeMauro Award Winner, Rich Yeoman
Rich Yeoman is the Manager of Data Services at GV/W-FL EduTech, a leading provider of educational technology solutions in the Genesee Valley and Wayne-Finger Lakes regions. He has been working at EduTech for 26 years, and he oversees the EduData department that offers a range of data-related services for schools and districts.Rich has been involved in providing administrative support for all areas of data needs, implementing projects and software using data to meet educational and administrative requirements. He has experience and knowledge in data management, analysis, and reporting, and he is passionate about helping educators leverage data to enhance learning and teaching.
Some of the services that Rich and his team provide are:
Test Scoring: processing and analyzing student assessments and generating reports and feedback.
SIRS Reporting: submitting and verifying data to the state's Student Information Repository System.
Special Ed Data Reporting: managing and reporting data for students with disabilities and special needs.
Data Driven Instruction: supporting teachers and administrators in using data to inform instruction and improve student outcomes.
Power BI Dashboard Development: creating and maintaining interactive dashboards and visualizations using Microsoft Power BI.
Data Security Services: ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and complying with data protection laws and regulations
Some of the services that Rich and his team provide are:
Test Scoring: processing and analyzing student assessments and generating reports and feedback.
SIRS Reporting: submitting and verifying data to the state's Student Information Repository System.
Special Ed Data Reporting: managing and reporting data for students with disabilities and special needs.
Data Driven Instruction: supporting teachers and administrators in using data to inform instruction and improve student outcomes.
Power BI Dashboard Development: creating and maintaining interactive dashboards and visualizations using Microsoft Power BI.
Data Security Services: ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and complying with data protection laws and regulations
2023 DeMauro Award Winner, Mark Laurrie
Mark Laurrie has dedicated his professional life to education. In a career spanning over four decades, he taught elementary and special education and served as assistant principal of two schools, principal of two schools, chief educational administrator of Niagara Falls High School and deputy superintendent. Since 2016, he has been the superintendent of the Niagara Falls City School District.
Mr. Laurrie continues to receive accolades for service and leadership from organizations throughout our region. The Niagara USA Chamber recognized him as Business Person of the Year for 2023. Among his many honors are the Police Athletic League Sportsperson of the Decade, Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope Service to Community Award, Kiwanis Leadership Award, the Excellence in Literacy Award for North America from the Reading Recovery Community, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Leadership Niagara, the Spirit Award from the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club and the Educator of the Year from Niagara University.
Mr. Laurrie also remains active in several charitable and community organizations. He is the current board president of both Destination Niagara USA and the United Way of Niagara. He also serves as the vice president of Junior Achievement of Western New York and sits on the boards of directors of the Mental Health Association of Western New York, the Francis Center, Niagara Falls Education Foundation, Niagara County Opioid Task Force, Niagara Falls Health Equity Task Force, Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital Cardiac Cath Lab Committee, Health Association of Niagara County Inc. (HANCI) Community Volunteer Committee and Leadership Niagara.
Mr. Laurrie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Niagara University. He earned a Master’s Degree in special and elementary education from the State University College at Buffalo and a Master’s Degree in administration and supervision from Niagara University. He has taught undergraduate education and graduate level educational leadership courses at Niagara University and D’Youville College. Mr. Laurrie was asked to give the 2023 commencement address to the graduating class of Niagara County Community College on May 13th, 2023.
Mr. Laurrie is a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls where he lives with his wife Laura. They have three children, Matthew, an English teacher in Niagara Falls, Katherine, a recruiter for a national recruitment company and Michael, a certified public accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Mr. Laurrie continues to receive accolades for service and leadership from organizations throughout our region. The Niagara USA Chamber recognized him as Business Person of the Year for 2023. Among his many honors are the Police Athletic League Sportsperson of the Decade, Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope Service to Community Award, Kiwanis Leadership Award, the Excellence in Literacy Award for North America from the Reading Recovery Community, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Leadership Niagara, the Spirit Award from the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club and the Educator of the Year from Niagara University.
Mr. Laurrie also remains active in several charitable and community organizations. He is the current board president of both Destination Niagara USA and the United Way of Niagara. He also serves as the vice president of Junior Achievement of Western New York and sits on the boards of directors of the Mental Health Association of Western New York, the Francis Center, Niagara Falls Education Foundation, Niagara County Opioid Task Force, Niagara Falls Health Equity Task Force, Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital Cardiac Cath Lab Committee, Health Association of Niagara County Inc. (HANCI) Community Volunteer Committee and Leadership Niagara.
Mr. Laurrie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Niagara University. He earned a Master’s Degree in special and elementary education from the State University College at Buffalo and a Master’s Degree in administration and supervision from Niagara University. He has taught undergraduate education and graduate level educational leadership courses at Niagara University and D’Youville College. Mr. Laurrie was asked to give the 2023 commencement address to the graduating class of Niagara County Community College on May 13th, 2023.
Mr. Laurrie is a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls where he lives with his wife Laura. They have three children, Matthew, an English teacher in Niagara Falls, Katherine, a recruiter for a national recruitment company and Michael, a certified public accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers.