The district office has been moving and shaking, hustling and bustling as it rearranges house.
The instructional supervisor of the school district, Mr. Matthew Ile, is moving to a new home as the Early Childhood Principal at the Kindergarten Center. He said he has been in his current position for eight years.
Superintendent Mr. Mike Gallina is very hopeful for Ile’s performance in his new position.
“I think he will be outstanding,” he said. “Mr. Ile is child-centered, very knowledgeable about instruction and understands how to work [well] with families.”
Also leaving with Ile is his current position, which will be dispersed amongst already existing staff because of the current financial situation in the district, according to curriculum director Mrs. Peggy Savage.
Gallina said the district was “trying to be financially responsible” in eliminating the post of instructional supervisor.
Ile said it was an effort to avoid losing money for other programs.
“Instead of cutting programs, [we are] consolidating positions so we do not negatively impact school programs,” he said.
Ile said although he is becoming principal of the Kindergarten Center, he will continue with a lot of his current tasks.
“I get to be the building leader for the early childhood development staff,” he said. “I’ll work with kids which is very exciting.”
He is also looking forward to “building the program from the ground up.”
Savage said Ile’s current responsibilities include Title One, which is a program involved in free and reduced lunches and other lower-income family programs, and handling other government programs. She also said Ile will keep Title One and other government programs.
“He is still a part of the central office administration team,” she said. “The actual day-to-day workings will change but he is still very much a part of the team.”
Ile said he believes he will fit into the job well.
“Whenever I run into colleagues and friends, they say ‘You’ve been smiling a lot,’ and I am,” he said.
He also plans to make a few large changes in the Kindergarten Center.
“One of the things we are going to do is incorporate more music,” Ile said. “I am very passionate about music.”
Savage said Ile has already started his transition into the new post.
“He’s been over there a lot already,” she said. “We think it’s a great match.”
She also said Ile is a perfect candidate for the position.
“I think we are very fortunate because of his extensive reading background and understanding of layers of support we provide for student’s early intervention,” she said.
Gallina said he is confident next school year will be a success.
“I really appreciate our administration team being so willing to use their special skills and talents as we roll out this plan,” he said.
Ile is looking forward to his future job and hopes to do what he can to help the district succeed.
“I have always wanted to lead a building and a dedicated group of teachers,” he said.