Thomas Douglas knew of the positive reputation of Bethlehem Central schools before applying for the district’s vacant superintendent job.
“Some of my friends had previously worked here, and knew about the district,” said Douglas. “This was even from 20 years ago, and they were very positive about it.”
In late September, Douglas, 46, was appointed as the incoming superintendent. He replaces Michael Tebbano, who retired at the end of 2011 after a 38-year career in education.
Douglas comes from the Chenango Valley Central School District in Binghamton, where he was in a similar role for nearly three years. He’s a native of central New York and has worked in a number of districts in the central and western portions of the state, first as a teacher in the late ‘80s, then as an administrator.
Douglas enters the position as the district is weeks away from starting in earnest budget discussions for the 2012-13 school year. He admitted that there’s a steep learning curve, but said districts around the state face many of the same obstacles. For example, he talked about the possibility of districts facing insolvency in the next one to three years if the status quo is maintained.
“The schools such as Bethlehem and Chenango Valley right now are probably on that farther window if their finances are not in order,” said Douglas. “From what I’ve seen, the finances (in BC Schools) have been managed fairly well, and the district has been trying to take proactive steps for long-term savings down the road.”
Chenango Valley officials are currently considering a consolidation study involving the nearby Chenango Forks School District. It’s an idea that Douglas presented to the community in May 2011 after the district’s Board of Education agreed such ideas should be pursued.
Douglas stressed the importance of shared service agreements to help districts with dwindling revenues. He cited a decision that turned a failing food services operation in Chenango Valley into a profitable asset for the district through an agreement with the region’s BOCES.
“One of the biggest things is that there is the ability to do as many shared service or municipality agreements as possible to try and reduce costs or share costs. In a way, you’re not dealing with revenue, but you’re decreasing your expenditure,” said Douglas.
He stressed that it was important to keep people informed about shared services, and to protect the jobs of hard working staff members.
“The big thing is, you should always keep in mind that you’re dealing with individuals and people, and you try to also make sure that they are understanding, so that it’s not about anybody losing anything. It’s about how we can do it better,” said Douglas.
The Bethlehem Central School District could bring in $210,000 worth of additional revenue over the next five years under a proposed agreement to lease out the shuttered Clarksville Elementary School to the Albany County Sheriff’s Office. Douglas is still catching up on the proposal, but said he understands the importance of preserving the school as an asset for the district.
“Any way that you can always keep your assets moving forward in a positive way is an efficiency for the district and the community,” said Douglas.
The new superintendent said it’s his job to make sure people know that the district shines. He made it clear that he wants to hear from district residents, adding that he’ll unveil his entry plan on the district’s website in early January.
“There are going to be open community forums. I want to hear what people value, what people worry about in each of the elementary areas, as well as the middle and high school,” said Douglas.
The decision to move to the Capital District was one Douglas wanted to make for personal and professional reasons. He and his wife are looking to make the area their home.
“We’re really vested in putting our roots here,” said Douglas. “I have a 2-year-old. I want him to have one of the best opportunities, and that’s going to be something that I guard very precious to me.”
Douglas took over as superintendent of the BC Schools on Jan. 1.