TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Retiring Eldred superintendent Candace Mazur and new superintendent Ivan Katz. (Click for larger image)

ECS: smooth transition—and a bright future

By RICHARD A. ROSS

ELDRED, NY — One era is ending and a new one is beginning with a seamless transition. As Candace Mazur completes the final days of her five-year tenure as Eldred superintendent before retiring from education administration, the school and community look forward to a bright future with Ivan Katz as the new administrator.

“She’s one of the greatest mentors I’ve ever had,” Katz says.

Both are on the same page when it comes to their positive views of the school and community, as well as their vision of what Eldred Central School (ECS) can look forward to.

In an interview on the day before the graduation of the Class of 2003, both had glowing things to say about the school, the kids, the community and each other.

Mazur said the highlight of her tenure was the staff and the community.

“They work together because the focus is always on the children. This community has always found ways to support us. It’s been a very positive five years.”

ECS, she says, has worked to meet new standards.

“Our scores are continuing to rise. We work closely with the elementary school. We have introduced objectives data, technical and self-goals for our staff. Those goals are part of their evaluation. As a staff, we’ve never stood still but continue to raise the bar. In other words, we are always in the process of re-evaluating ourselves to see how we can make things better.”

One of the toughest issues for a small district is staying a K-12 school district.

“Can we offer the students what they need? A study is being pursued to consider those questions,” she said. BOCES Superintendent Dr. Martin Handler will be involved in that study which begins this August. “At this stage, it is not about making any changes but more about looking into possible future options. Those options include making Eldred a K-8 school and tuitioning out the high schoolers, remaining the same or even merging with another district.

“The main challenge for the future is finance. Every year we have no idea what the state aid formula will be. We have a small tax base and it’s always an issue,” Mazur said.

Still, Mazur is departing with good feelings.

“I want to say thank you to the Board of Education, the community, the administrators, the staff and the kids who did everything they could to make my job rewarding and fun.”

Of this year’s seniors, Mazur said, “They are a wonderful class. They care about themselves and each other. They have worked with the younger children and given back so much to this community.”

Katz agreed.

“They are an exceptional group of kids. They have been leaders and role models and set the standards for their younger peers in more ways than just academics. We have a senior who is an eagle scout [P.J. Meyer] and have had four eagle scouts in the last four or five years. Few schools can match that. Our kids understand the balance between working hard and having fun,” he said.

Katz was looking forward to the new challenge.

“The job of the superintendent involves much more than the day-to-day management of the junior/senior high school. It will require a presence in both buildings [Eldred and the Mackenzie Elementary School]. Then there are the issues surrounding the budget and maintaining a higher profile in the community,” he said.

He said that the main goal is always about student achievement. “We are charged with helping kids meet the rigorous standards set forth by the New York State Education Department. We want to make sure our kids not only meet their requirements for graduation, but are getting an education that will serve them in the future. We are using our creativity to think outside of the box. For example, by providing them with distance-learning courses, we can mitigate the limitations of what course our school’s in-house staff can offer.”

Some of these graduates may be back as staff.

“If the county continues to grow at the current rate, there will be many opportunities for them to return and work here. We try to cultivate an atmosphere here at Eldred that is supportive of kids, and that will always make them think of this community as ‘home.’ It is encouraging that a significant number of Eldred graduates have already returned to teach in our district.”

ECS will also have a new secondary principal this fall. Scott Krebs, a Sullivan County resident and a middle school principal from Ellenville, will assume the role. After interviewing twenty-seven candidates, the board felt that Krebs was the most qualified and suited for the position. He will join superintendent Katz and elementary principal Kathy Ryan to round out the administration.