[sfordnews] SF Finalist
- From: "John S. Grispon" <discog@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Limerick Spring-Ford list list <LIM-SF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>" <LIM-SF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, New List <sfordnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:54:48 -0400
Spring-Ford superintendent finalist shares his vision for school district
Thursday, April 7, 2011
By Phil Ellingsworth Jr., pellingsworth@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
ROYERSFORD — Spring-Ford Area School District residents, educators and
community members heard ideas and goals from the man named as a finalist to
replace current Superintendent Marsha R. Hurda during a meet-and-greet session
Wednesday night.
Current Chambersburg Area School District Superintendent Joe Padasak, who has
served as the district’s chief since 2006, fielded questions regarding
education and what he will do to keep Spring-Ford moving forward.
Padasak, an educator with 25 years experience serving as both a teacher and
administrator, said many educational initiatives have worked well in
Chambersburg — items he would possibly like to seem implemented, if he were
named as Hurda’s successor.
One such initiative is to give high school students a head start on their
college education or future careers.
As cost of a quality college education continues to “get expensive,” Padasak
feels giving students the opportunity to “get ahead” in their learning is
“vital.”
To help Chambersburg high school students, Padasak has implemented programs
where students can take college credits or study a vocational trade, allowing
them to reduce their out-of-pocket costs when they leave for a university.
“Everything I do is designed with the children in mind,” he said. “College in
high school is where it’s at.”
With that theory in mind, Padasak wants to bring that program to Spring-Ford,
giving students a competitive edge for their future.
An idea Padasak has is to eventually eliminate 12th-grade, allowing students to
move from 11th-grade to their senior year, but instead of studying electives,
students could work at a career or study college courses.
“The goal is to have all children be lifelong learners and be successful,” he
said.
A focus on vocational education program is also something Padasak feels is
important.
Padasak explained when students enter into a career in the local area, they are
more likely to reside there and add to the tax base, which is why he would like
more attention focused on vocational education studies.
“I’m passionate about career education,” he said.
Mindful of the budget situations affecting school districts across the state,
Padasak said Chambersburg, which has a $105 million yearly operating budget,
has been prepared for the day when revenues would no longer be there.
By instituting this five-year budget forecasting, district officials were able
to foresee problems long before becoming an issue, taking proactive measures
and steps to help prepare for potential financial difficulties, he said.
Creating revenue is something Padasak also knows a thing or two about.
During his tenure at Chambersburg, Padasak was able to create $2.7 million in
revenue in three years by having an energy manager look at how the district
could become more efficient, he said.
Like Hurda, Padasak wants to have open communication with area residents,
explaining he will speak to them when they are concerned or have compliments
about the district.
“Following Dr. Hurda is going to be a big job,” he said. “The expectations will
be great,” he said.
Padasak holds a doctoral degree in education from Widener University, a
master’s degree from Western Maryland College and a bachelor’s degree from the
Pennsylvania State University.
He currently resides in Kutztown and Chambersburg.
A decision about Padasak is expected sometime this month.
John S. Grispon
discog@xxxxxxxxxxx
610-948-7655
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