Talk of the Town: A conversation with Randy Squier
OXFORD – On Tuesday, June 14, Oxford Academy and Central School Superintendent Randy Squier spent an hour at Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor in Oxford. During that time, he spoke at length with Evening Sun Reporter Melissa Stagnaro about topics related to the school system, including his impending departure from the district; the strides Oxford has made in terms of technology and professional development; and the June 23 capital project vote.
Leaving Oxford
Squier confirmed that, while he has yet to tender his resignation, he has given the Oxford School Board notice of his intention to accept a position with another district. Where is he going? Coxsackie-Athens Central School in Greene County. With just under 1,600 students, Squier said the district is slightly larger than Sherburne-Earlville in size. It operates on an annual budget of roughly $25 million.
Oxford, in comparison, serves approximately 850 students on an annual budget of $16.9 million.
“It’s bittersweet,” Squier said, explaining that while he’s excited about the new opportunity, he, his wife Maureen and their three children will be leaving behind good friends.
One of the things he says he will miss is his role as primary school principal, a duty he took on last fall because of budget cuts.
“It was a lot harder to leave because I was principal,” he said.
He also complimented the building’s staff, saying they work well together and are committed to putting kids first.
The transition
Squier said he is planning for a mid-August transition. The school board will need to use the time between now and then to begin search for his replacement.
“The first step will be to work with the BOCES district superintendent to get an interim superintendent,” the administrator explained.
From there, the board will need to decide what they want the administrative structure to look like (i.e. will they continue to combine the duties of superintendent and primary school principal), define what they are looking for in a chief school officer, determine who be involved with the search process and establish a timeline.
“This is the biggest decision a school board makes,” he said. “I think our board realizes that.”
District achievements
Squier is proud of what the district has accomplished during his leadership.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” he said. According to the superintendent, the district is already ahead of the curve on “90 percent” of the changes being instituted by New York as part of the State Education Department’s reform agenda. That includes the using benchmarking data in “constructive, positive ways” to inform decisions and instruction.
“We’re having the right conversations as professionals,” he said.
He pointed to the district’s commitment to “holding strong with the UPK program” despite budget challenges as another success.
The way in which technology is being used in the classroom is another area which he is particularly proud
“It’s being used on a daily basis by kids,” he reported.
The best part? The investment in mobile learning devices has been accomplished with what Squier referred to as a “net zero increase in the budget.” Instead of buying desktops, he explained, the money budgeted for replacing outdated equipment is being invested in this area.
For a example, a partnership with Verizon made it possible for each of this year’s eighth graders to have their own netbooks, which they used to complete assignments in and out of class.
“Maggie (Dorsey) has done a fabulous job with that,” Squier said.
The netbooks themselves did not cost the district a dime.
“We’re just paying for the 3-G service,” the superintendent explained, which, incidentally, is BOCES aidable.
According to Squier, Dorsey’s students will take the learning devices with them to the High School in the fall and next year’s eighth graders will get a new set.
Per the school’s contract with the provider, the equipment will be upgraded every 10 months and the district will get to keep the cast offs which younger grades will use without the 3-G service.
“We’ll cycle the old and they’ll become the old desktops,” Squier explained.
The superintendent also applauded High School Science Teacher Mark Muller for his use of technology with his biology and earth science students.
The superintendent said the district has been measuring the effect use of this technology is having on students. Already, he says, they’ve seen a change in student’s homework habits. Namely, kids who weren’t doing it before, are doing it now.
“It goes right to our mission as a district (of developing self-directed learners),” Squier said.
And the district plans to press on even further next year, when Jon Rogers’ eleventh grade social studies students will each have iPads to work with.
The building project(s)
Oxford is knee deep in one capital project, while at the same time preparing to go before voters to gain approval for a second, larger scale project.
Why are the projects necessary?
“It’s all about kids,” Squier said. “I’m in this business to help kids.”
According to the superintendent, once the building projects are complete, Oxford’s facilities will be well positioned and flexible enough to meet students needs for the next 20 years or more.
“That’s something the whole community can be proud of,” he said.
The timing is important, he explained, because of the availability of EXCEL aid, which covers the local share of the project - the difference between the total project cost and state building aid which would otherwise fall to taxpayers. There is also a matter of ever-escalating costs and the fear that New York will change building aid formula in a way which will be unfavorable to districts like Oxford.
Work on the phase I project - approved by voters in September of 2009 - has already gotten under way. Much of the work focuses on the Middle School, particularly the auditorium.
“That’s the crown jewel of the building,” Squier said.
Over April break, crews removed the asbestos tiles from the space, as well as the chairs, which have been sent off for restoration. Exterior work has also begun. It is also slated for completion before students return to school in the fall.
Because bids came in under budget, the district has been able to take care of extra items through change orders.
“A lot of, it makes sense to do now,” the administrator explained.
That includes creating a new entrance for the Primary School playground, paving around the Middle School and some additional items in the school’s auditorium. Such as refurbishing the original wooden divider which was used to separate the stage area from the adjacent gymnasium and returning it to working order.
“It’s little things, but it adds up,” Squier said.
At least one item is on hold for the time being - replacing steam traps at the Middle School. This expenditure won’t be necessary if voters approve the proposed phase II project, he explained, since replacing the building’s high-maintenance steam heating system with more efficient hot water system is part of the $10,967,591 project’s scope of work.
“We estimate, minimally, a 10 percent savings in energy costs,” he said, plus savings on maintenance for the antiquated system.
More than two thirds of the project - $6,886,238 - is earmarked for improvements at the Oxford Middle School, including reconstruction of existing classrooms and facilities, renovations to the school’s library/media center and information technology improvements in addition to conversion of the heating system.
“Basically this project will put the polish on the classrooms at the Middle School,” he said. According to Squier, the last time these spaces were touched was in the late 80’s, early 90’s.
At the Primary School, $439,175 has been allocated for site work and reconstruction, to include playground improvements, air conditioning in a hand full of classrooms and installation of wireless technology. $3,651,178 will be spent at the High School, of which $1,187,060 will be allocated to relocate the district and special programs offices, expand the school’s art room and develop a shared entrance with the Primary School.
“There is unused space in that area,” Squier said, explaining that the idea is to “help with the traffic flow and improve security” and to have the space flexible enough to meet the district’s needs no matter what the administrative configuration.
Other elements of the high school’s reconstruction include rearranging the existing agriculture and technology areas, as well as replacing some classroom walls with folding partitions to increase flexibility.
The remaining $1.46 million is slated for site work at the Primary/High School campus, including new bleachers and other improvements to the school’s athletic fields. Drainage issues will also be addressed.
According to Squier, this will get the athletic fields “up to speed” with the district’s other facilities.
“I consider it classroom space,” he said, explaining that whether its through athletics or in physical education classes, kids “learn many lessons on those fields.”
Not only will the new facilities be safer and less maintenance, but they’ll also be more attractive. While that may not seem important, Squier said it’s all part of the district’s curb appeal.
“It’s a selling point for the community,” he explained, whether people are visiting, driving through or looking to relocate to the area.
Squier stressed that, although some money has been set aside from the district’s capital reserve, the entirety of the core project’s cost is expected to be paid for through state building aid and EXCEL funds.
“There are no surprises there,” he said, reiterating there will be no impact on the property tax levy.
The only exception is the construction of a multipurpose building to replace Blackhawk Stadium’s current concession stand/press box, which was built in the 1970’s.
According to Squier, the structure will serve as storage facility, concession stand, press box and restrooms not only for the stadium, but also for the adjacent baseball/softball fields. The building’s price tag - estimated at $339,625 is not state aidable.
“The multipurpose building will be paid for directly with our reserve money,” he explained. “There will be no impact on the tax levy.”
Voters will vote separately on this portion of the project.
Tomorrow’s capital project vote
Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Oxford High School Media Center. To be eligible to vote in the voter referendum, an individual must be a U.S. citizen over the age of 18 and have resided in the district for a minimum of 30 days.
For more information on the proposed capital project visit www.oxac.org or call the District Office at 843-2025, ext. 4040.
Leaving Oxford
Squier confirmed that, while he has yet to tender his resignation, he has given the Oxford School Board notice of his intention to accept a position with another district. Where is he going? Coxsackie-Athens Central School in Greene County. With just under 1,600 students, Squier said the district is slightly larger than Sherburne-Earlville in size. It operates on an annual budget of roughly $25 million.
Oxford, in comparison, serves approximately 850 students on an annual budget of $16.9 million.
“It’s bittersweet,” Squier said, explaining that while he’s excited about the new opportunity, he, his wife Maureen and their three children will be leaving behind good friends.
One of the things he says he will miss is his role as primary school principal, a duty he took on last fall because of budget cuts.
“It was a lot harder to leave because I was principal,” he said.
He also complimented the building’s staff, saying they work well together and are committed to putting kids first.
The transition
Squier said he is planning for a mid-August transition. The school board will need to use the time between now and then to begin search for his replacement.
“The first step will be to work with the BOCES district superintendent to get an interim superintendent,” the administrator explained.
From there, the board will need to decide what they want the administrative structure to look like (i.e. will they continue to combine the duties of superintendent and primary school principal), define what they are looking for in a chief school officer, determine who be involved with the search process and establish a timeline.
“This is the biggest decision a school board makes,” he said. “I think our board realizes that.”
District achievements
Squier is proud of what the district has accomplished during his leadership.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” he said. According to the superintendent, the district is already ahead of the curve on “90 percent” of the changes being instituted by New York as part of the State Education Department’s reform agenda. That includes the using benchmarking data in “constructive, positive ways” to inform decisions and instruction.
“We’re having the right conversations as professionals,” he said.
He pointed to the district’s commitment to “holding strong with the UPK program” despite budget challenges as another success.
The way in which technology is being used in the classroom is another area which he is particularly proud
“It’s being used on a daily basis by kids,” he reported.
The best part? The investment in mobile learning devices has been accomplished with what Squier referred to as a “net zero increase in the budget.” Instead of buying desktops, he explained, the money budgeted for replacing outdated equipment is being invested in this area.
For a example, a partnership with Verizon made it possible for each of this year’s eighth graders to have their own netbooks, which they used to complete assignments in and out of class.
“Maggie (Dorsey) has done a fabulous job with that,” Squier said.
The netbooks themselves did not cost the district a dime.
“We’re just paying for the 3-G service,” the superintendent explained, which, incidentally, is BOCES aidable.
According to Squier, Dorsey’s students will take the learning devices with them to the High School in the fall and next year’s eighth graders will get a new set.
Per the school’s contract with the provider, the equipment will be upgraded every 10 months and the district will get to keep the cast offs which younger grades will use without the 3-G service.
“We’ll cycle the old and they’ll become the old desktops,” Squier explained.
The superintendent also applauded High School Science Teacher Mark Muller for his use of technology with his biology and earth science students.
The superintendent said the district has been measuring the effect use of this technology is having on students. Already, he says, they’ve seen a change in student’s homework habits. Namely, kids who weren’t doing it before, are doing it now.
“It goes right to our mission as a district (of developing self-directed learners),” Squier said.
And the district plans to press on even further next year, when Jon Rogers’ eleventh grade social studies students will each have iPads to work with.
The building project(s)
Oxford is knee deep in one capital project, while at the same time preparing to go before voters to gain approval for a second, larger scale project.
Why are the projects necessary?
“It’s all about kids,” Squier said. “I’m in this business to help kids.”
According to the superintendent, once the building projects are complete, Oxford’s facilities will be well positioned and flexible enough to meet students needs for the next 20 years or more.
“That’s something the whole community can be proud of,” he said.
The timing is important, he explained, because of the availability of EXCEL aid, which covers the local share of the project - the difference between the total project cost and state building aid which would otherwise fall to taxpayers. There is also a matter of ever-escalating costs and the fear that New York will change building aid formula in a way which will be unfavorable to districts like Oxford.
Work on the phase I project - approved by voters in September of 2009 - has already gotten under way. Much of the work focuses on the Middle School, particularly the auditorium.
“That’s the crown jewel of the building,” Squier said.
Over April break, crews removed the asbestos tiles from the space, as well as the chairs, which have been sent off for restoration. Exterior work has also begun. It is also slated for completion before students return to school in the fall.
Because bids came in under budget, the district has been able to take care of extra items through change orders.
“A lot of, it makes sense to do now,” the administrator explained.
That includes creating a new entrance for the Primary School playground, paving around the Middle School and some additional items in the school’s auditorium. Such as refurbishing the original wooden divider which was used to separate the stage area from the adjacent gymnasium and returning it to working order.
“It’s little things, but it adds up,” Squier said.
At least one item is on hold for the time being - replacing steam traps at the Middle School. This expenditure won’t be necessary if voters approve the proposed phase II project, he explained, since replacing the building’s high-maintenance steam heating system with more efficient hot water system is part of the $10,967,591 project’s scope of work.
“We estimate, minimally, a 10 percent savings in energy costs,” he said, plus savings on maintenance for the antiquated system.
More than two thirds of the project - $6,886,238 - is earmarked for improvements at the Oxford Middle School, including reconstruction of existing classrooms and facilities, renovations to the school’s library/media center and information technology improvements in addition to conversion of the heating system.
“Basically this project will put the polish on the classrooms at the Middle School,” he said. According to Squier, the last time these spaces were touched was in the late 80’s, early 90’s.
At the Primary School, $439,175 has been allocated for site work and reconstruction, to include playground improvements, air conditioning in a hand full of classrooms and installation of wireless technology. $3,651,178 will be spent at the High School, of which $1,187,060 will be allocated to relocate the district and special programs offices, expand the school’s art room and develop a shared entrance with the Primary School.
“There is unused space in that area,” Squier said, explaining that the idea is to “help with the traffic flow and improve security” and to have the space flexible enough to meet the district’s needs no matter what the administrative configuration.
Other elements of the high school’s reconstruction include rearranging the existing agriculture and technology areas, as well as replacing some classroom walls with folding partitions to increase flexibility.
The remaining $1.46 million is slated for site work at the Primary/High School campus, including new bleachers and other improvements to the school’s athletic fields. Drainage issues will also be addressed.
According to Squier, this will get the athletic fields “up to speed” with the district’s other facilities.
“I consider it classroom space,” he said, explaining that whether its through athletics or in physical education classes, kids “learn many lessons on those fields.”
Not only will the new facilities be safer and less maintenance, but they’ll also be more attractive. While that may not seem important, Squier said it’s all part of the district’s curb appeal.
“It’s a selling point for the community,” he explained, whether people are visiting, driving through or looking to relocate to the area.
Squier stressed that, although some money has been set aside from the district’s capital reserve, the entirety of the core project’s cost is expected to be paid for through state building aid and EXCEL funds.
“There are no surprises there,” he said, reiterating there will be no impact on the property tax levy.
The only exception is the construction of a multipurpose building to replace Blackhawk Stadium’s current concession stand/press box, which was built in the 1970’s.
According to Squier, the structure will serve as storage facility, concession stand, press box and restrooms not only for the stadium, but also for the adjacent baseball/softball fields. The building’s price tag - estimated at $339,625 is not state aidable.
“The multipurpose building will be paid for directly with our reserve money,” he explained. “There will be no impact on the tax levy.”
Voters will vote separately on this portion of the project.
Tomorrow’s capital project vote
Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Oxford High School Media Center. To be eligible to vote in the voter referendum, an individual must be a U.S. citizen over the age of 18 and have resided in the district for a minimum of 30 days.
For more information on the proposed capital project visit www.oxac.org or call the District Office at 843-2025, ext. 4040.
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