Mark Laurrie
Mark Laurrie has dedicated over 40 years to the Niagara Falls City School District, serving in a variety of roles including teacher, assistant principal, principal, Chief Educational Administrator and Deputy Superintendent. Since 2016, he has served as Superintendent and is committed to expanding opportunities for students and strengthening his community.
A lifelong advocate for education and community development, Laurrie has been instrumental in initiatives that connect schools with resources and support. He spearheaded the expansion of Say Yes Buffalo, a program providing tuition assistance and wraparound services for local students, to Niagara Falls. Under his leadership, the district has also prioritized mental health and student well-being. In partnership with the University at Buffalo, the district established the Niagara Falls Student Champion Team, a peer program focused on mental health awareness and trauma-first aid. This initiative earned support from the Buffalo Bills Foundation and national recognition for its innovative approach to student support.
In 2024, Laurrie collaborated with the Buffalo Bills, American Heart Association, and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The group delivered Hands-Only CPR training to more than 300 student-athletes, 190 youth coaches, players, and cheerleaders, expanding the effort to the broader Niagara Falls community. That same year, he was appointed as a volunteer leader on the American Heart Association's Eastern States Superintendent Council and helped strengthen the organization's school engagement efforts across the region.
Throughout his career, Laurrie's leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including Educator of the Year from the Niagara Area Chamber of Commerce, Forty Under Forty Rising Leader by Business First, and the Spirit of Niagara Award from the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara. After 42 years of service, Mark Laurrie plans to retire at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.