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Superintendent Search

February 16 2012

Laurence Spring is appointed SCSD Superintendent Wed.
He will take post in early June

The Schenectady City School District Board of Education appointed Laurence Spring as Superintendent of Schools at the Board of Education meeting held Wednesday, February 15, 2012.  Prior to the Board meeting, a press conference was held at Zoller Elementary School.

Spring, who has been serving as Superintendent of Cortland Enlarged School District for the last six years, is expected to take the leadership post in early June and will earn $181,200.  He will replace John Yagielski who has been serving as interim superintendent since July 1, 2010.  Yagielski came out of retirement to serve in the leadership role while the district searched for a permanent superintendent.  

“I am very excited and pleased to be coming to Schenectady,” said Spring.  “I’m anxious to get started.  John has done a great job.  I’m excited to continue with what he has done.  And, there is still a lot of work to be done with all the changes from the state level.” 

Spring was introduced to the school community on January 23 when he was selected as one of three finalists.  During his presentation, he shared his experiences dealing with families in poverty and the impact that poverty has on education.   The level of poverty in Cortland is similar to that of Schenectady.

Spring said he is an advocate for the disadvantaged and those living in poverty.  “I have a lot of experience using systems and data to find inequities and will work to change the system,” he said.

“On behalf of the board of education,” I am pleased and excited to welcome Larry to our school and community,” said Cathy Lewis, president of the board of education.  “We are confident that he will come in, hit the ground running and continue to move our district forward.” 

Spring will be coming to a much larger district than where he currently is in Cortland which has an enrollment of about 2,800.  Schenectady has about 9,800 students.  He said he is ready.  

He is also ready to embrace and partner with the community.  “I am really excited to move to Schenectady and live in a mid-size city again,” said Spring who once lived in Rochester.  “I very much enjoy living in the city and the things that go along with that.  I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the community there.”  Spring and his wife have two children who they plan to enroll in Schenectady schools.   

“I am here to work for our community and their children,” added Spring.  “It is important that the children of our community get the education that they need and deserve.” 

Lewis expressed gratitude to the school community for being part of the process.  "The superintendent selection was a long process," she said.  "We, the board of education, would like to thank all of the school and community members who came to the community input sessions and participated in the interview process.  Your participation and input was very important to this process."

The search for a superintendent, initiated several months ago, was conducted by Capital Region BOCES.   Before applicants were screened and interviewed, the board of education held school and community sessions in October and November to learn what was leadership qualities were important to the school community.   

The board of education reviewed 17 applications that were screened and selected by BOCES from a larger pool.  They then narrowed the pool of candidates down to nine and then five.

Three separate stakeholder groups comprised of parents, community members, staff members as well as city, county and community organization members held interviews with the five candidates.   Each stakeholder group shared there impressions of the candidates with the board of education at a special meeting.  

Spring, Susan Swartz and Ivan Katz were the three finalists.  Swartz later withdrew her application. 

“We are very happy with our selection and are anxious to move forward,” said Lewis.
 
“This is an exciting time for all of us in the school district and the Schenectady community.” 

Laurence Spring
Prior to becoming a superintendent in Cortland, Spring served as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Wayne Central School District in Ontario, NY for five years (2001-06).  His administrative experience prior to becoming Superintendent includes serving as Director of Student Learning at Churchville-Chili Central School District in Churchville, NY for two years (1999-2001) and Assistant Principal for a year (1998-99). 

He began his educational career as a social studies teacher.    He taught at East Irondequoit Central School District for five years.   Spring obtained a BA in History/Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Rochester and is expected to complete an Ed.D in 2012 from Vanderbilt University.

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The Schenectady City School District Board of Education is conducting a search for a new Superintendent of Schools.   John Yagielski is currently serving as interim superintendent.  The Board of Education has appointed Capital Region BOCES to conduct the search process.

Next Steps:

February 06, 2012

Susan Swartz withdrew her application for the superintendent position.

The two candidates for the position are Ivan Katz and Laurence Spring.  The board of education will be making a selection soon.  They will visit and talk to members within his school community.

February 02, 2012

Each of the three finalists for the Schenectady City School District Superintendent position recently gave a public presentation and answered questions from the school community. 

The finalists are:

• Ivan Katz

• Laurence Spring

• Susan Swartz

The Board of Education is discussing the finalists and will make a selection soon.  Once members agree on the final candidate, they will visit and talk to members within his or her current school community.

About the Candidates 

Ivan Katz is currently the Superintendent of  Fallsburg Central School District with an enrollment of 1,500.  He has held that post for six years.  Prior to that, he was Superintendent of Eldred Central School District for three years (2003-06) and was Principal at Eldred CSD for five years (1997-01 and 2002-03).  His other administrative experience over the years includes serving as Dean of Students, Middle School Principal and High School Assistant Principal.  He began his educational career as an English teacher.  He taught at Liberty Central School District for four years.  He obtained a BA in English/Education, an MS in Educational Administration from the University of Albany as well as an Ed.D Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.  Resume [pdf]

Laurence Spring is currently the Superintendent of Cortland Enlarged School District with an enrollment of 2,800. He has held that post of six years.  Prior to that, he was Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Wayne Central School District in Ontario, NY for five years (2001-06).  His administrative experience prior to becoming Superintendent includes serving as Director of Student Learning at Churchville-Chili Central School District in Churchville, NY for two years (1999-2001) and Assistant Principal for a year (1998-99).  He began his educational career as a social studies teacher.    He taught at East Irondequoit Central School District for five years.   Spring obtained a BA in History/Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Rochester and is expected to complete an Ed.D in 2012 from Vanderbilt University.  Resume [pdf]

Susan Swartz is currently the Superintendent of Scotia-Glenville Central School District with an enrollment of 2,900. She has held that post for six years.  Prior to that, she served the Shenendehowa Central School District as Assistant Superintendent for four years (2001-2005), Director of Student Services for four years (1997-2001) and Coordinator of Instructional Services for three years (1994-1997).  She began her educational career a teacher of students with special needs.  She taught for 16 years, eight in Shenendehowa.  Swartz obtained a BS in Special Education/Psychology from the State University of NY at Plattsburgh, MS in Special Education from Russell Sage College, School District Administrator Certification from The College of Saint Rose and is expected to complete an Ed.D in 2012 from Russell Sage College.  Resume [pdf]
 

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January 23, 2012

Sch’dy Board Announces Three Finalists for Superintendent
“Meet the Candidate” Sessions Scheduled

The Schenectady City School District Board of Education narrowed the Superintendent candidate pool from five to three last week.  The final candidates are Ivan Katz, Laurence Spring and Susan Swartz.  Each of the candidates is scheduled to give a public presentation and participate in a moderated question and answer session.  The first is set for tonight. 

The public sessions are held as follows: 

Monday, January 23
6 pm
Laurence Spring
Paige Elementary School, 104 Elliott Avenue 

Tuesday January 24
6 pm
Susan Swartz
Paige Elementary School, 104 Elliott Avenue 

Tuesday, January 31
6 pm
Ivan Katz
Paige Elementary School, 104 Elliott Avenue 

Format

The candidates will discuss an entry plan (first 100 days) into the district and then will take questions regarding the plan for 15 minutes. 

A 30-minute moderated question and answer session will follow. 

About the Candidates 

Ivan Katz is currently the Superintendent of  Fallsburg Central School District with an enrollment of 1,500.  He has held that post for six years.  Prior to that, he was Superintendent of Eldred Central School District for three years (2003-06) and was Principal at Eldred CSD for five years (1997-01 and 2002-03).  His other administrative experience over the years includes serving as Dean of Students, Middle School Principal and High School Assistant Principal.  He began his educational career as an English teacher.  He taught at Liberty Central School District for four years.  He obtained a BA in English/Education, an MS in Educational Administration from the University of Albany as well as an Ed.D Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.  Resume [pdf]

Laurence Spring is currently the Superintendent of Cortland Enlarged School District with an enrollment of 2,800. He has held that post of six years.  Prior to that, he was Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Wayne Central School District in Ontario, NY for five years (2001-06).  His administrative experience prior to becoming Superintendent includes serving as Director of Student Learning at Churchville-Chili Central School District in Churchville, NY for two years (1999-2001) and Assistant Principal for a year (1998-99).  He began his educational career as a social studies teacher.    He taught at East Irondequoit Central School District for five years.   Spring obtained a BA in History/Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Rochester and is expected to complete an Ed.D in 2012 from Vanderbilt University.  Resume [pdf]

Susan Swartz is currently the Superintendent of Scotia-Glenville Central School District with an enrollment of 2,900. She has held that post for six years.  Prior to that, she served the Shenendehowa Central School District as Assistant Superintendent for four years (2001-2005), Director of Student Services for four years (1997-2001) and Coordinator of Instructional Services for three years (1994-1997).  She began her educational career a teacher of students with special needs.  She taught for 16 years, eight in Shenendehowa.  Swartz obtained a BS in Special Education/Psychology from the State University of NY at Plattsburgh, MS in Special Education from Russell Sage College, School District Administrator Certification from The College of Saint Rose and is expected to complete an Ed.D in 2012 from Russell Sage College.  Resume [pdf]

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January 20, 2012

Update
The three stakeholder groups interviewed five candidates on January 10 and 11.  Each group presented feedback to the board of education at a special meeting held on January 18.  The candidate pool was narrowed from five to three finalists.
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December 15 update

The candidate pool has been narrowed down to nine.

The Board of Education is conducting Round I interviews with the candidates.

Stakeholder groups have been identified.  The stakeholder groups will interview the remaining candidates January 10, 11, 12 and 17.  The groups will meet with the Board of Education at a special meeting on January 18.

The board is expected to hold a third round of interview January 23, 24 and 31.

• Timeline
   
• Brochure [pdf]
   
• Application [pdf]

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Community Input Sessions
Members of the school community are invited to attend any of the Community Input Sessions.  You will have an opportunity to share your thoughts specifically regarding: 1) what the new superintendent should know about the Schenectady City School District; 2) what characteristics you would like to see in the new superintendent; 3) other thoughts.

If you cannot make any of the Community Input Sessions, please feel free to complete the online survey.

SURVEY
Summary of Survey Results
 

Community input received at the meeting and online will be shared with the board of education so they will know what is important to you as they interview and select a new superintendent.

The new superintendent is expected to take post in early 2012.

Please check back for updates and additional information regarding the search for a new superintendent.

Update
October 4, 2011
At the October 4 meeting, the Board approved the Superintendent Search brochure and application, discussed advertising and holding community group forums. Input from all members of the school and community will be gathered. Community group forum schedules and locations are being determined.  A survey will be posted on-line and circulated throughout the school and community.  More details coming soon.

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