Summer 2010
Assistant Superintendent Strang tapped to oversee implementation of Special Education study findings
BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Innovation Carl Strang has been tapped to oversee the creation of a plan for change based on the findings of a recent study of the Special Education Division.
Recommendations by the consultant group Advisory Solutions, which conducted the Special Education study earlier this year, were presented at the June meeting of the BOCES Board of Education (to view a PDF of this presentation, click here.)
Highlights from the study, around which both
short- and long-term goals for improvement will soon be created,
include:
Establishing
the Special Education Division as the place school districts turn to
for cutting-edge information and resources.
Evaluating
current staffing structures for improved service coordination and
efficiencies.
Creating
a long-term plan with annual goals.
Strengthening
the division’s connections with the larger organization.
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“As an assistant superintendent, Carl has demonstrated the ability to implement organizational change and build meaningful partnerships with our component schools,” said BOCES District Superintendent Charles Dedrick. “He brings a diverse professional background, making him a natural choice for this new leadership role with the Special Education Division.”
Strang’s background and experience includes:
Leadership
of the
Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC), which provides
technology services to more than 140 school districts and 7 regional
BOCES, including the Capital Region BOCES.
A
track record for successfully implementing the major recommendations
of the 2005 independent organizational study of NERIC.
More
than 20 years experience in public schools, including 9 years as a
teacher of children and teens with a range of special needs.
Director
of Technology and tenured administrator with the Saratoga Springs
City Schools.
A
current doctoral student in Educational Leadership at the Sage
Colleges.
“Our mission as a BOCES is to support school districts with the highest-quality services at affordable costs,” Dedrick added. “Carl is well-positioned to move our BOCES decisively forward in achieving that mission, both within the Special Education Division and across the organization.”
“Carl and I have worked together as part of the BOCES administrative team for many years. I have a great deal of respect for him and the way that he has been able to implement his own division's study that was completed a few years ago,” added Inge Jacobs, Special Education division director. “I am excited by the opportunity to work closely with Carl on this project, which will create a stronger foundation for the Special Education Division and a more vibrant educational program for the districts, children and families we serve.”
“There is much wisdom in having someone with an objective perspective to partner with around this important task of setting goals and creating plans for growth in the Division,” Jacobs continued. “I welcome the insight, input and assistance Carl is sure to offer as we move through this process.”
Special Education staff input needed!
Special Education staff will play a vital role in providing input and advice around the study’s findings and their implementation. To this end, Dedrick has asked that the Program Associates Organization (PAO) and the Teachers Unit tap interested individuals for a work group to study the report in more depth. The work group will include representatives from the Special Education staff, a number of central office staff and possibly a BOCES Board member.
Interested in helping?
Staff interested in participating in the work group, which is currently being formed, should contact their union leadership.
