GREENE – Before the beginning of next school year, the Greene Central School District will bid fairwell to the administrator who has lead the district for the past four years.
“I certainly wish the best for the Greene School community and I hope I’ve been a positive influence during my time here,” said Superintendent Gary Smith, who will be retiring on August 31.
Smith informed the board in March of his intention to retire.
“My priorities have changed,” he said, explaining his decision. Smith and his wife, who were married in 2007, plan to relocate to the Syracuse area after his retirement. He will spend more time with his family, he said, watching his youngest daughter’s play collegiate soccer and visiting his two-year-old grandchild outside of Toronto.
Under Smith’s leadership, Greene has excelled, but the man is modest about his contributions.
“It was a solid district when I got here, and I hope I’m leaving it as strong if not stronger than I found it,” Smith said, referring to continued strength of the district’s academic programs.
During his time at Greene, the district has not only continued its exemplary performance on state assessments, but also received recognition on both the state and national level for its achievements. In both 2008 and 2009, Greene made US News and World Report’s list of the best high schools in the country, and both the high school and middle school have been recognized as one of the 10 highest performing schools in New York by a University of Albany study. Last year, Greene was acknowledged as having the highest graduation rate in a three-county area.
While he is proud of these accomplishments, Smith is quick to give credit where he says it is due: with the district’s administrative team and dedicated faculty and staff.
One of Smith’s legacies will likely be the $36.1 million dollar capital project started this year. The project, he said, “will position the district to move forward into the 21st Century in a cost effective fashion, so that we are frugal with the tax payers dollars.”
The most visible portion of the project may be the construction of a new artificial turf field at the middle/high school campus and an addition at the intermediate school, but by far the largest chunk of the project will be in infrastructure improvements and upgrades throughout the district. That work will include a new geo-thermal heating and ventilation system in the middle/high school.
“The geo-thermal system will help us get away from our reliance on oil,” Smith explained. “And we’re putting in other systems and infrastructure that will carry our district out another 40 to 50 years.”
And most importantly, Smith said, “We’ve been able to do it with no direct cost to the taxpayer.”
Smith will leave Greene at the top of his game, well liked and respected by the district. According to some of those who have worked with Smith during his time at the district, it didn’t take long for the administrator to make an impression on the school’s students, parents, faculty and staff.
Theresa Brant, a 14-year district employee who has served as secretary to the superintendent since his arrival, recalled his first days at Greene. Smith, she remembers, rode every bus route, both morning and afternoon, to meet the students and see where they lived.
“That meant so much to the kids and the families in this district,” Brant said. “He very quickly earned their respect.”
During his tenure with the district, Smith maintained that close relationship with students. According to High School Principal Terry Heller, he always made a point of attending sporting events, not to mention school concerts, plays and other activities. He personally crowned homecoming and prom court.
The superintendent was also very visible during school hours. At least once a week, Smith would eat in the cafeteria with students in the middle and high schools, Heller said. “He really has a great rapport with the kids.”
He also ate frequently with students in individual classrooms at the primary and intermediate buildings, according to Primary School Principal Carole Stanbro. “The kids loved that,” she said.
He was also often in attendance when the second grade reader’s club met once a month, and more than once had danced the “Tea Party Shuffle” with Mrs. McPuppet for students during the fall open house.
“I’ve very sad to see him go,” said Stanbro. “He was good at balancing the needs of everyone.” Smith’s door was always open and he was a great listener, she said, always taking into consideration all sides of an issue.
“He’s been just great,” said Brant.
“I think the kids here are losing a great superintendent,” stated Heller, who said Smith’s departure will leave “big shoes” to fill.
“He has been a tremendous boss,” added the high school principal, who said he was thankful for the superintendent’s guidance in his first years as an administrator. As a former high school principal himself, Smith was always there for him, Heller said, and was a great sounding board. He also provided a model of leadership which he hopes to emulate.
One of the things he said he always respected about Smith, was the importance he places on family ,and therefore he respects his decision to retire.
“Gary has always made it very clear, even among our administrative team, that family comes first,” Heller said.
Smith will be honored by the district and the Class of 2009 at graduation on Saturday.