When the Sharon Springs Central School Class of 2021 walks across the stage for the last time, Superintendent Pat Green will be joining them.
Effective June 2021, Mr. Green, SSCS superintendent since 2007 and principal for seven years before that, is retiring.
Mr. Green, 54, formally announced his retirement to the SSCS school board Monday.
The timing is important because he’d like to see the position of principal—cut in 2007 when he became superintendent-principal as a way to ease budget difficulties—put back in the 2019-2020 budget.
In the 1990s, Mr. Green and school board members pointed out, there was almost a revolving door of superintendents at SSCS.
“It was like a train stile,” Mr. Green said.
By hiring and training a principal now, who could then move into the job of superintendent when Mr. Green retires, he hopes to be able to avoid repeating that.
“An individual who could grow into the job, establish credibility with the students…that’s what I want for this school,” he said.
“I’m hoping we can grow the next superintendent in-house.”
The job of superintendent-principal isn’t a perfect fit, Mr. Green said, “but it’s worked well for the last 12 years. I hope it can work for the next 12…or 20.”
School board members agreed and backed the plan.
Discussion on what’s likely to be about a $9.5 million 2019-2020 budget with a two percent increase in the tax levy is just beginning.
Money for the restored position would come from savings from a handful of retirements in 2018.