This Sup’t Saves Tax Money

Do we need a superintendent for the schools of Randolph, Braintree and Brookfield? As an RES board member for over 13 years, a member of the Orange Southwest Supervisory Union (OSSU) board for over 10 years and an active participant in educational leadership at the state level, I can answer that question with an unequivocal YES!

I respect Mr. Kevan’s ability to think outside-the-box and his question is a reasonable one. Most people do not understand the role a superintendent plays in a school system, including some people within the system itself. While the value an outstanding superintendent brings to a system is immeasurable, I will draw attention to just two areas where the OSSU has benefited greatly under the three-year tenure of Dr. Kay.

First, the superintendent is the only employee of the union who is in the position to look at the service we provide as a system, educating students from kindergarten through grade 12, rather than as single classrooms or individual schools. This perspective allows us to better focus on student needs rather than the needs of adults and/or structures. Our students have benefited as a result. This will be highlighted more specifically in a pamphlet we are putting together and distributing as part of our effort to inform the community of the accomplishments of our students.

Second, under the leadership of Dr. Kay we have realized hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings annually in areas such as transportation, special education, maintenance, staffing, accounting and legal costs by ensuring we not only work together as a system but we "think smarter" as we do so. An effective superintendent more than "pays for" his or her fair salary, which is much less than Mr. Kevan implies.

I commend Mr. Kevan for asking an important question and encourage all interested citizens to attend any of our school infor-mational meetings or regular board meetings to get a glimpse first-hand of the important work happening in our schools under the leadership of our superintendent. I know we will reap benefits into the future as Dr. Kay continues serving the com-munities of the OSSU.

Laura Soares

Clerk, Randolph School Board

Chair, OSSU Board

_____________