N-W superintendent to retire

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 6, 2008
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 8, 2008

Judith Howard, superintendent of the Niagara-Wheatfield School District for 10 years, will be retiring Aug. 31.

Howard announced her retirement at the Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, March 5.

The N-W Board will be joining Lewiston-Porter in a search for a new superintendent. Lew-Port has been operating with an interim superintendent for about three years while a search for a new superintendent continues.

N-W Board President Maureen Kaus said over the next couple of weeks, the Board will begin interviewing search consultants and determining what factors would make a superintendent candidate a good match for the district. Kaus is optimistic about finding a good replacement for Howard.

“We’re hoping to have someone in place by the time Judy leaves at the end of August,” she said. “We do hope to attract some excellent candidates. We’re in good shape here, and we’re very proud of what we’ve built here.”

Howard, who plans to do some consulting and possibly after she retires, read a prepared statement at the Board meeting, stopping several times as her voice cracked.

“The Board who hired me in 1998 basically gave me the freedom to create a school system that I now consider a place of pride,” she said. “ We now have an exceptional administrative staff, scores of effective teachers, an instructional program that continues to improve each and every year, and facilities of which we can be proud. We have done this all while still maintaining excellent fiscal health.”

She thanked the Board for its support, noting that her work would not have been as successful without it.

Afterwards, the Board applauded Howard, and Kaus commented, “I’m not applauding your retirement; I’m applauding your service to the district.”

When the motion was introduced to accept the retirement, there was a loud outcry of “No!” from Board members before they went on to approve it.

Kaus said Howard’s tenure has brought terrific improvements in curriculum and instruction, staff development and hiring of outstanding people, as well as major improvements in facilities and a reasonable annual budget.

Kaus said it was too early to talk about what might be done if a new superintendent isn’t hired and in place by September. The Board would have to make a decision based on the circumstances at that time, she said. For instance, a candidate might be chosen, but just not able to start immediately.

For a short time gap, the district could go back to its early history and have a district superintendent step in. Orleans-Niagara BOCES district superintendent is Clark Godshall. The district also could look in its own top ranks as Lew-Port has done to name an interim superintendent. When hiring Howard, the Board sought someone with strong instructional skills. However, Michelle Spasiano, formerly N-W High School principal, was just appointed assistant superintendent for instruction this year.