Superintendent Search

SEARCH REOPENED

An Invitation to Apply for the Position of Superintendent of Schools

The Massena Central School District Board of Education is accepting applications for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The Board has engaged the services of the educational consulting firm of Castallo and Silky to assist with the search process. Interested individuals are invited to submit a letter of interest, resume, application, professional placement file and/or three current letters of recommendation, and NYS SDA/SDL certification.

The application may be accessed by going to www.castalloandsilky.com and clicking on Forms & Documentation.

Please mail application materials to:

Mr. Alan D. Pole, Educational Consultant
c/o Castallo & Silky
4514 Whistler Circle
Manlius, NY 13104
Email: [email protected]

Please contact Mr. Pole at (607) 427-9681 with any questions related to the search. All communications related to this search will be handled through the consultant. Applicants are requested not to contact any member of the Board of Education.

Massena Central School is an equal opportunity school district/employer which does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law in the employment, working conditions and educational opportunities of applicants, employees,
and students.

Selection Timeline

March 17, 2023 - Deadline for submission of application and all supporting materials
May 2023 - Candidate interviews
June 9, 2023 - Appointment of new Superintendent
August 14, 2023 - Anticipated start date

Candidate Qualifications

The Massena Central School District is seeking an experienced educational leader committed to leading the district in continued attainment of excellence. The following qualifications have been identified as vital for the new Superintendent:

Certification—possesses a valid New York State certificate as a School District Administrator or School District Leader.
Academic Leadership—ability to implement the Next Generation Learning standards, develop curriculum and assessment aligned to the standards, and build instructional data systems that measure student success and inform teachers and principals how they can improve their practice.
Fiscal Leadership—able to understand and communicate the district’s financial condition and direction, experience developing a school district budget, and engaging stakeholders in establishing budgetary priorities.
General Leadership and Vision—has successfully developed a comprehensive vision for his/her district and demonstrated the ability to lead diverse teams of stakeholders in implementing a broad vision for the district.
Relationship with the Board of Education—able to work collaboratively with the Board of Education.
Communications—has experience developing and implementing district wide communication strategies and evidence of strong communication skills with parents and the community.
Personal Characteristics—has experience making difficult decisions that benefit students and the district.
Collective Bargaining—ability to lead “at the table” negotiations from the management perspective.
Community—interested in becoming an active member of the Massena community.
Other—able to articulate PK-12 expectations for student behavior.

Terms of Employment

The Board of Education will offer a three-year contract with renewals contingent upon successful performance evaluations. An initial salary range of $170,000-$190,000 commensurate with experience, will be offered to the successful candidate. An attractive benefit package will also be offered. Residency in the area is preferred in order to allow for the Superintendent’s active participation in school and community events.

Vision Statement

We aspire to be a leading education community that values diversity and prepares students to meet today’s goals and tomorrow’s opportunities.

About the Massena Central School District

The Massena Central School District is located in a beautiful rural setting in the heart of the St. Lawrence River Valley. To the north, Canada lies just minutes away with the commercial and recreational centers of Ottawa and Montreal, easily accessible. To the south, the majestic Adirondack Mountains provide gorgeous vistas and an array of outdoor pursuits at famed Lake Placid and many other locations. The cities of Albany and Syracuse are common day trips.

The district of 15,000 residents is within a thirty-minute drive of four outstanding colleges and universities; Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton, and SUNY Potsdam. Paul Smith’s College and several Canadian colleges are also within a short drive.

Recreational opportunities abound on the St. Lawrence, Grasse, and Racquette Rivers, all of which flow through the district. Numerous parks, beaches, walking trails, marinas, and boat launches can be easily accessed. The Nicandri Nature Center provides cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and other activities. Massena Central enjoys a long and proud history of community, industrial, and business support. It is located in a regional commercial center home to Alcoa, Arconic, the New York Power Authority, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The district encompasses 220 square miles to include the village and town of Massena, town of Louisville, and parts of Norfolk and Brasher. In addition, students from the St. Regis Mohawk Territory (Akwesasne), which straddles both sides of the international border, attend school in Massena.

Employees:
Professional/Instructional 280
Non-Instructional 186

Student Enrollment by Building:
Jefferson Elementary - 406
Madison Elementary - 419
Nightengale Elementary - 410
J. William Leary Jr. High School - 372
Massena Sr. High School - 825

Financial Data:
2022-2023 Budget $63,825,147
True Value $880,708,715
State Aid Ratio 83.70%
Tax Rate on True Value $18.305091
Tax Levy Cap 3.70%
Tax Levy Increase 0.00%

District Highlights

Provides an International Baccalaureate Program, which is a rigorous curriculum for juniors and seniors that is meant to prepare them for college. Massena is the only IB world school north of Syracuse.
The Community Schools Program was recently featured by the Brookings Institute for its strong student and family supports. With its many community partners, it provides mental health services, including mindfulness practices, as well as food, clothing, books, school supplies, and other necessities to reduce barriers to student learning.
First school in the County to provide the opportunity for students to earn a Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages, in addition to English.
Offers a wide variety of after school academics and extracurricular programs. This includes Robotics, in partnership with Clarkson University, and many athletic opportunities. Massena has won numerous state championships, including the 2014 Boys Hockey and 2015 Girls Hockey teams.
Recognized by the NYS School Boards Association with the Champions of Change Award three times since 2020 for our Make a Difference Day; providing Internet access during the pandemic; and establishing the Junior High Free Market to provide supplies and services to district families.