A Platform for Transformation
Continuity at the Top
In the last 20-25 years, the average RCSD Superintendent tenure has been 1.7 years. It takes 3-5 years for most new educational initiatives to bring about meaningful change. Therefore, just as one superintendent begins implementing their vision, they leave. The Board then begins the hiring process for the next leader. In the meantime, an interim superintendent is appointed who implements the initiatives they believe are needed. The next superintendent is hired, and they start the cycle all over again. This leads to "initiative fatigue," a phenomenon where principals and teachers "go through the motions" of implementation, but have little faith that "this will be the one" that sticks and has an impact. In the meantime, our students continue to suffer and lose ground as compared to their peers in neighboring districts. And this doesn't even account for the money spent on "buying out" the remainder of superintendent contracts and the contracts of "their people" whom they brought with them, the cost of the unfinished or ineffectively implemented initiatives they left behind, and the time and energy wasted by faculty, staff, and building leaders chasing this endless flow of new initiatives. I am committed to ending this "churn."
Board Governance
So, how do we end the churn? The job of the Board of Education is to govern the district by setting policy and holding the superintendent accountable for implementing their vision for student instruction and district operations. Per the New York State School Board Association's New School Board Member Handbook, "An effective school board member understands that it is not his or her job to run the district, but instead ensures the district runs effectively and efficiently. In other words, the board oversees the education of students and is responsible for school district operations, but does not directly run the district’s day-to-day operations." Many have said that some of the current RCSD commissioners consistently overreach with respect to these duties and encroach upon the responsibilities and authority of the superintendent, building principals, and other appointed district leaders. Others have noted that some of the current RCSD commissioners who are up for reelection are guilty of infighting and other behaviors that detract and distract from the task of board governance. As a result of these Commissioner malfunctions and dysfunctions, past superintendents, at least in part, have exited long before the 3-5 year mark. It is challenging enough to lead a district that is experiencing challenging times, let alone one with a Board of Education that is constantly fighting against the transformations they are attempting to bring about. As Board Commissioner, I am committed to proper and professional Board Governance. I am committed to doing my part to ending the churn!