Incoming North Colonie superintendent D. Joseph Corr channeled the nation’s founding fathers at a meet-and-greet at Shaker High School on Thursday, March 4.
Attending with his wife, Cherie Pash-Corr, he answered questions in the second, and final, meet-and-greet for this year.
Maintaining the status quo is not sufficient, he said, adding that success ` and savings `can only come through harder and `smarter` work. `We have no option but to move forward.`
During his remarks, Corr referred to Thomas Jefferson. He said Jefferson emphasized the pivotal role education played in developing a country. Corr said that same spirit should be applied to education today.
`We are results-oriented and we are data-driven,` Corr said.
Corr said he envisions North Colonie students becoming `lifelong learners` and good citizens who generate and stimulate the economy, and he has made that a goal of his upcoming administration.
Corr will earn $190,000 a year when he takes over as superintendent.
He noted the tradition of long-standing supervisors in the district and said it is indicative of consistent improvement. In the district’s 60-year history, there have only been four superintendents.
`It’s a testament to the continuity and maturity of our leadership,` he said.
Corr is currently the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and has 38 years in education; 30 of them with North Colonie schools. He was a social studies teacher, then supervisor at Shaker High School, and he spent six years as assistant superintendent.
He was educated at Siena College, St. Rose and SUNY Albany.
`I was born into a family of teachers,` Corr said.
He has been active in education most of his adult life and has spent time as a varsity coach for the girls track team and junior high boys outdoor team.
Corr also spent time discussing some of the challenges the district will face in the coming years, but said he is confident the district will rise above the state’s fiscal crisis.
He said he is dedicated to `quality teaching, learning and a focus on children,` despite the challenges ahead.
North Colonie is facing a close to $1.8 million cut in aid next year.
The district was going to receive $2.4 million in stimulus money from the federal government next year, but the state filled part of the 2009-2010 aid cut with half of that, so next year the district will only receive $1.2 million, according to officials.
Jane Dawson, a parent and human resources employee in the district, said she is confident that Corr can see North Colonie through the tough financial times and `inspire` those around him to creatively find solutions.
`I think they’ll find a way to continue the excellent programs offered,` she said.
Dawson has a 10th-grader and recent graduate in the district, she said.
Mary Nardolillo, president of the North Colonie Board of Education said the district conferred with BOCES about selecting Corr, but ultimately made the decision in-house.
`We’re very excited about the future of the school district under the leadership of Mr. Corr,` she said. `He has the respect of this community.`
She said the board, along with Ehrenberg, and eventually Corr, will work to keep whatever cuts the district has to endure away from the students.
`The district is really looking at everything, scrutinizing everything,` she said.
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