Timothy M. Kelly The 4201 Schools Association of New York State has elected Timothy M. Kelly of West Seneca, superintendent of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo, to serve as its chairman.

He is the successor to Harold Mowl Jr., superintendent of the Rochester School for the Deaf. Mowl led the association for more than 10 years. The chair is a two-year term.

“Each day, I walk through the doors of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf saying, ‘What can we do to help these children and their families today?’” said Kelly. “As chairman of the association, it is my goal to ... ensure that the educational rights and needs of disabled children are met.”

Kelly has served as superintendent of SMSD since 2008. Prior to that appointment, he was a pupil personnel director for seven years coordinating academic and residential placement for the school with more than 40 school districts in Western New York.

He began his career in deaf education 30 years ago as a residential counselor at SMSD.

Kelly is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University. He holds a master’s degree from both Canisius College in Buffalo and Salem State College in Massachusetts.

He’s also held such posts as a classroom teacher at the New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, N.Y.; and with the Methuen Public Schools in northeastern Massachusetts.

Kelly is a native of South Buffalo and remains active and engaged in various community and civic affairs. He resides with his family in West Seneca.

The 4201 Schools Association is comprised of 11 schools dedicated to meeting the special education needs of approximately 1,500 children who are deaf, blind or severely disabled.