Jan
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January 2010 – Departure
January 12, 2010 | 5 Comments
This will be the last blog issued by myself as the Milton Area School District Superintendent. I want to thank all individuals in the community, on the school board, the leadership team, teachers, support staff, students and parents for their support for me in this position for the past six (6) years.
Over the past few weeks, I have been approached by a variety of individuals asking why I felt that I had to leave this district. It was not a feeling of why I had to leave the district, it was an opportunity that I felt had been afforded to me that I needed to take advantage of. The position in Manheim will allow me the opportunity to be closer to family members, and it also affords me the opportunity to continue to grow professionally.
Some facts about the Manheim Central School District:
- Enrollment 2,934
- Administrators 18
- Drop-out Rate 52 (2%)
- Tuition – Elem. 8,011
- Tuition – Secondary 8,470
- Support Staff 160
- % to College 60
- # of computers 2,200
- # Home School 155
- Community Population 21,657
- Total Property Value $1,558,044,200
- Millage Rate 15.85
- PDE Aide Ratio 44.90
- 2009-10 Budget $42,418,140
- Per Pupil Expenditure $14,475
- District Square Miles 78.2
- Starting Teacher Salary $40,536
- Average Salary $57,734
- Professional Staff 236
- # Cyber Charter Students 71
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Milton Area School District. I feel that some of the accomplishments are not my personal accomplishments but those of the district due to the leadership team and the teachers. Some accomplishments are the following: (1) continued improvement and moving forward with students’ PSSA scores, (2) addressing the dropout rate and cutting that in half, and (3) the development of the high school alternative education program and the middle school alternative education program. Looking at areas outside of the district I reflect upon working with the committee of volunteers to continue the restoration of the Sodom School as well as support from Merle Phillips for funding of the restoration of the Sodom School. I am extremely impressed with the following: (1) the district leadership team and their ability to take challenges head-on and use the information they have to make the best decisions that will continue to move the district forward; (2) working with the teachers for continued curriculum growth and implementation using the Learning Focused Schools model; and (3) working with the community in developing joint ventures that would benefit both the school district as well as students whether it be working with Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Hands Up Foundation and other groups by providing support for those programs through students or fund raisers that could be conducted within the district as an opportunity for financial support.
I want to close with the comment that you are not losing a superintendent; you are losing a friend of the community. I have enclosed my contact information for Manheim Central School District. If ever I can be of any assistance to anyone from the Milton community with respect to any educational issue, I would be more than happy to do so. My new email address is clarkw@manheimcentral.com. If there is anything I can do to provide assistance to you for yourself or your children, please feel free to contact me.
I wish you the best of luck as a community as Milton Area School District continues to move forward with the professional growth of the school district and the overall successful accomplishments of the students who attend this school. Thank you for allowing me to serve the community during my six (6) year tenure at the Milton Area School District.
5 Comments so far
Dear Dr. Clark,
Thank you for your kind words to the district and the community. You and your family are wished all the best as you make this transition. May you all be happy and richly blessed.
Lois Passi and family
Bill,
We will miss you and your family, I was looking forward to making a wrestler out of your little guy! Good luck and God bless.
“Pete”
Bill,
Welcome to the Lancaster Area! I live right down the road from MC so let’s reconnect. Would love to see your family. Still have the Bassett? Can I draft you to speak to my PSU Ed Politics course right here in Lancaster?
Looking forward to having you here in Lancaster!
Chris