The first day of August was one of transition in the South Colonie Central School District as district officials and faculty members welcomed new Superintendent Jonathan Buhner.
Buhner comes to the district from the Walton Central School District, where he was the superintendent for four years. Before that, Buhner said he was consistently in positions in education, employed as a secondary principal, regional director, dean of students and a teacher for eight years, mostly specializing in technology electives.
His former co-worker, Krislynn Dengler, principal of the O’Neill High School in the Walton Central School District, said what she will miss most about Buhner is his guidance and approachability. I could go into his office at any time and he always listened to my ideas and suggestions, she said.
While she said, `I absolutely miss him,` Dengler was sure that Buhner would be `fabulous where he is.`
Though the classrooms were empty, Buhner spent his first day in the district’s various schools on Wednesday, July 23.
The South Colonie Board of Education said goodbye to former Superintendent of Schools Michael Marcelle at its Tuesday, July 22, board meeting, as Marcelle attended his final board meeting at the South Colonie Central School District.
Board President James Tim Ryan repeated to Marcelle what he had said earlier this summer at the Colonie Central High School graduation ceremony. `Mike, it’s been a pleasure working with you,` he said.
Vice President of the Board Brian Casey thanked Marcelle for teaching him about the district when he was first elected to the board. `When I first came on the Board of Education, I didn’t have any idea of the intensity that I was coming in to,` said Casey, `For me to come on the board and you to walk me through it, you’ve made it a lot easier for me.`
While Buhner said he will miss the Walton District, he was eager to come to South Colonie, due mostly, he said, to its reputation. `This district is known for excellence,` he said.
According to Buhner, one of the things about South Colonie that drew him in the most was its high focus on character education, or education about certain personality traits. Buhner said that even though the Walton school district is in the southern tier of New York, he was still able to learn of South Colonie’s `tremendous` qualities.
So, after hearing of the open position vacated by Marcelle, who had planned to retire, Buhner, his wife, Mercedes Flores-Buhner, 14-year-old son, Jon, and 11-year-old daughter, Mercita, relocated to South Colonie and started a new life last month.
Buhner said his son will be attending Shaker High School as a freshman, while his daughter will be entering the sixth grade at Lisha Kill Middle School.
In between setting up his home and settling into his new office, Buhner’s first task was to arrange the schedule for the upcoming school year. `We’re trying to bring a lot of programs and events in,` he said.
The schedule will reflect many of Buhner’s objectives as a superintendent, which will include events to familiarize himself with faculty members, students and parents, as well as making sure students stay involved. `As a superintendent, I’ve always felt that was critical,` he said.
Buhner also said he hopes to continue the district’s tradition of excellence, and maintain a school culture that is safe.
But one of the most important objectives, Buhner said, is to `develop not only smart kids, but positive smart citizens.`
The South Colonie Central School District will be holding a `Hello/Goodbye` party for Marcelle and Buhner on Friday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Fuller Road Firehouse. The event is open to the entire South Colonie community, and a free buffet and music will be provided. In lieu of gifts, attendees may make donations to the Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Marcelle Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o South Colonie Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 12413, Albany 12212. “