May

28

My Own Chance to Learn

May 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I’m currently attending two days of training for the superintendents of the Joint Management Team which encompasses Erie 1, Erie 2, and Catt/Alle BOCES. The session today was focused on Capacity Building, Moodle, and MUVE. Moodle is a very efficient and thorough way to offer course content to students on-line. I’ve seen teachers do such [...]

May

27

Blog Name: Keep it Simple

May 27, 2009 | 4 Comments

I’ve been reading a ton lately, including articles and books on blogging–one that I read addresses blog names and identity. That’s what got me thinking about the name of this blog and how it had to change from G-Town Talks to Randolph Writes when I accepted a new position in Randolph.  And how does anyone really know [...]

May

27

The Albatross Around the Neck of Our School

May 27, 2009 | 4 Comments

Okay, so I get that LOTS of people dislike the horizontal steel siding on our new Technology Center. And maybe “albatross around the neck of our school” is a bit strong. Trust me, no-one has spent more time than me looking at that building and the steel siding. Without getting into a lot of detail [...]

May

22

Defeated: Bus Maintenance Facility Project

May 22, 2009 | 2 Comments

As a new superintendent, I inherited a big problem. It’s one that’s been percolating for some time and I’ve written about it here and here. To make a long story short, there was a proposition put up twice to the taxpayers of Randolph, once in May 2008 and once in October 2008, that carried a [...]

May

22

Board Service

May 22, 2009 | 2 Comments

In most of my years as an administrator, I’ve been required to attend Board of Education meetings. As principal at Randolph, principal and the assistant superintendent at Gowanda, and now as superintendent at Randolph, I spend a lot of time with Board of Education members.
The time commitment, energy and thought required of these volunteers is [...]

May

19

Vote Today, May 19, 2009

May 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Dear Western New Yorkers: Exercise your right to vote today on your school budgets, consider all additional propositions, and elect your Board of Education Members!
–A Superintendent Waiting to Hear What the Community Thinks
Be a Part of That Collective Voice!

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May

14

Video of Public Hearing Available

May 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Posted on our school website, Randolph residents can view a video excerpt of Proposition #3 from the Public Hearing on May 12, 2009. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from those community members who attended the hearing regarding the presentation. Many said that being there helped them to better understand the proposition, the rationale for [...]

May

13

Ask Me Anything

May 13, 2009 | 1 Comment

Last night was my first public hearing as superintendent followed by Randolph’s first “Meet the Candidates” night in about 15-20 years. By all accounts it was a success. We had 32 people in attendance and it wasn’t quite what I had anticipated. I went through the three part budget, proposition #1, expecting a question or [...]

May

11

The Benefit of the Doubt

May 11, 2009 | 6 Comments

There’s something unexpected that’s been happening to me as the superintendent. I’m wondering if it happens to all superintendents or if it’s an ingrained part of the culture here at RCS. I’m wondering if it’s something I’m doing or not doing that’s perpetuating the problem.
I think  I’m clear, honest, straightforward and forth coming with faculty, staff, students and [...]

May

6

How Do I Ask A Question on May 12?

May 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I need to clarify a couple of things about our upcoming “Meet the Candidates” night and this blog seems like one good place to start. I have had some questions about why the questions have to be submitted in advance and why they can’t be turned in during the event. There will be an opportunity [...]