As the class of 2009 walks across the stage toward a new phase of life, Superintendent of Schools at Schuylerville Central School District Leon Reed will be graduating with them, so to speak.
After serving 18 years in the district, Reed is retiring as the students who were born in 1991, the year he started at the district, graduate. "It's like we are all graduating together. I have a certain affinity for this class; not just because we all started in the district together, but because they are just great kids," he said.
Schuylerville Central School District was in state of disarray when Reed took office in February 1991. There was a major construction project taking place, New York State had taken away financial aid midway through the school year, and budgets had not been passing.
"I knew I had my work cut out for me. I came in with ideas I'd gathered from other districts I had worked in and implemented ideas from people who were already here. We worked well together to improve the district," Reed said.
In 1991, Schuylerville Central School District had nearly 1,300 students. Today the district has grown to more than 2,000. Reed said he believes the growth is due to new families choosing to locate in Schuylerville because the district has a good reputation.
"We don't live in the richest community, but we haven't failed a budget in well over a decade. I believe the people want a quality school district. We have typical kids like any other district, but we also have outstanding test scores. This kind of success starts at home and ends at school. This shows how supportive these families are of the children" he said.
One of the things Reed has noticed since he moved from the Shenendehowa Central School District was a change in real estate ads. "The ads for homes in Schuylerville didn't even mention the school district when I was looking for my home. Today they all mention that the home lies within an award-winning district. I think that says something about where we've come from," he said.
While Reed is very proud of the progression of his district over the past 18 years, he doesn't take all of the credit himself. "It's the teachers who are on the front lines, the support staff that keeps us running, the Board of Education and the supportive community that passes our budgets," he said. "Without all of these factors, Schuylerville wouldn't be what it is today."
As Reed prepares for his last day of work on June 30, he is also looking forward to retiring and spending time with his family who are scattered throughout the country.
"My wife and I love to travel, so we plan to do a lot of that. We have a daughter in California, one in Virginia and my mother, who lives in Florida. I'm sure we'll be spending a lot of time in those places. My wife wants to go to Alaska, and I'd like to visit Africa; we'll be all over," he said.
Reed got his start at Grove City College in Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. After working for a year with Kodak, Reed saw his path take a different turn after the company experienced layoffs. He then attended University at Buffalo, where he received both his master's and doctorate degrees in education. His first teaching job was in Spencerport, New York where he taught math. Ultimately, Reed said he has loved his time in Schuylerville and will have a tough decision to make when it comes time to decide where he and his wife Denise want to live.
"Our social network is here but our family is all over. I love it here, so we'll make our decision in a year or so, when we have a better idea of what our retired life will be," he said. "I feel like a college graduate right now. I've got my backpack on and the world is waiting."
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Dear Leon,
Enjoy the time with your family and don't eat meat or dairy! Take good care.
K