NORWICH – When chaos threatened at Norwich High School last spring, the district turned to Dr. Robert Cleveland to keep an even keel.
After 20 years as superintendent of schools for the Norwich City School District and a stint as interim superintendent three years ago, Cleveland has accepted what he says will be his last assignment.
At the behest of Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan and School Board President Bob Patterson, Cleveland assumed the post of interim principal in mid-May, nearly two weeks before the startling announcement was made that the building’s principal, Thomas Knapp, would not be returning after a two-week medical leave.
According to Patterson, Cleveland’s long history with the district and the high esteem in which the community held him, led to the decision to bring him back on board for the temporary position.
“Even though he is retired, he has remained involved in the education field,” said Patterson. “He is current on education issues, aware of the future needs of the district and is a real asset to the building.”
Cleveland said he went into the position with his eyes open. While he knew he’d have his work cut out for him, the interim principal remains confident that Norwich will be able to “transcend” the challenges it faces.
“There is a strong history of success within the school district,” said Cleveland. “It is times like this that test that.” His role, he said, is managing the transition process rather than making wholesale changes.
“There are an incredible number of really positive things going on in this school,” stressed the interim administrator, citing solid test scores and consistent academic outcomes.
It is important to maintain, nurture and grow these academic programs and activities, said Cleveland. He said he believes strongly that forward momentum needs to be sustained.
“If you are doing the same thing today as yesterday, you are falling behind,” said the former superintendent.
“Do we have work to do? Absolutely,” said Cleveland, stressing that while this work would be demanding, it was also do-able. “The high school will emerge from this, and no doubt stronger.”
According to Cleveland the school faces several large obstacles including completion of the building project, improving culture and facing challenging budget times due to rising costs and the slowing economy. To overcome these challenges, communication is increasingly important.
“Communication in the building and between buildings is something we really need,” the interim principal said. The lack of information sharing is one of the things that Cleveland said he believes added additional confusion to the situation following Knapp’s sudden departure last spring.
“There were more questions than answers,” said Cleveland. There were still many questions surrounding Knapp’s position at the start of the current school year, compounded by the revelation that he remained a district employee despite his absence from the school.
Superintendent O’Sullivan has repeatedly expressed his faith in Cleveland’s ability to keep the high school on track during this time of turmoil. He has also said that he feels students are in good hands with the former superintendent at the helm.
“Bob Cleveland is a veteran administrator,” said O’Sullvian. “He is focused on the high school.”
Cleveland said he enjoys the challenges and finds working with students as well as instructional and support staff invigorating. He commends the staff for their continued commitment to providing.
“We are taking care of business,” said Cleveland. “Most people are focused on the kids. While there is a certain amount of turmoil, we will get beyond that.”
And Cleveland does appear to have the support of even those who have been vocal in their support of Knapp. At the Sept. 19 school board meeting, one high school staff member prefaced her passionate plea for the absent administrator’s reinstatement by saying that her statement “in no way diminishes the work that Dr. Cleveland is” doing in the school.
Objections to Cleveland’s presence in the school have revolved around money. Or rather the fact that the district has been paying both Cleveland and Knapp for the same position.
The school board initially approved a $400 a day per diem rate for the former superintendent at their May 20 meeting. This stood until a one-year contract was ratified by the board on Sept. 2.
Now that the district has accepted Thomas Knapp’s resignation, speculation continues on what will happen when Cleveland’s contract expires at the end of this school year.
While Cleveland admitted he is considering a return to the field of education in some capacity, he maintains that he has no intention or aspiration to remain with the Norwich City Schools.
The school board has not announced a timeline for a search for Knapp’s replacement. Cleveland’s current contract buys them until the end of June.