What can I say....
After twenty plus years on the other side of the desk, as an education sales rep., I find myself in the enviable position of having been chosen to head the department that is responsible for overseeing Jamestown Public Schools' technological march into the 21st century. A position that allows me to work with some of the finest people I’ve ever known, and to impart my vision of a technology rich education environment throughout this district. The sense of pride and accomplishment I feel every day just being a part of this process is indescribable, but please bear with me as I try.
My position as Director of Information Services became available almost eight years ago due to the retirement of a district icon of thirty-five years, Mr. Fred Callender. “Fred” is the biggest reason why we are now enjoying the benefit of our fiber optic Wide Area Network (WAN). It was Fred that had the foresight to contact the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) when he heard about them getting ready to run fiber optic cable from their offices to their outlying pumping stations, and suggested that the school district might want to add to that fiber with some of it’s own. Long story short, all through the negotiations Fred was adamant that this was a good idea and would be to everyone’s advantage. He prevailed, and because of that partnership our district now enjoys the fastest and most scaleable network in Western New York. Thank you Mr. Callender!
But, that’s only the beginning of this story… The next chapter begins when our current Superintendent Mr. Raymond Fashano came back to Jamestown. For the very few of you who don’t know, Mr. Fashano, “Ray”, was born here and began his teaching career in this district, but I digress… Throughout his career both in and out of education Ray has been interested in technology. He has initiated major technology upgrade projects in each district where he’s been Superintendent and even worked for a technology-based company during his hiatus from education. Jamestown was to be no different. When Mr. Fashano returned to Jamestown Public Schools as Superintendent the district was in the midst of preparation for a community backed and funded “brick and mortar” building project, a good thing. However, Ray envisioned an even better project, a Renaissance, if you will, a melding of “brick and mortar” with advanced technology. He worked tirelessly with the “movers and shakers” in and outside of the district and together they came up with our existing “combined’ plan which they took to the voters. Our community approved, the referendum passed and the Renaissance was on its way….
This is where my part of this fantastic journey begins. As I said before, I had spent over twenty years working with virtually every district in Western New York to bring technology into their schools, and might still be doing just that if not for a twist of fate. You see, I’ve known Ray Fashano for many years; we met back when he was moving his first district forward with technology. We became and have remained friends over the years and it was in this capacity I received an e-mail message from him asking if I knew of anyone who was qualified to sit in Fred Callender’s chair upon his retirement. Someone who could embrace the community’s vision and help work through their plan for the future of the district. I wrote back that I was I not sure I was qualified, and that in my estimation no one could fill Fred’s chair but it was an extraordinary opportunity and one that I would like a chance to apply for. At first Ray was incredulous, wondering why I would want to leave a great job for the confines of a school district. I explained that the chance to put into practice the ideas and knowledge crafted over twenty years, a chance to “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk” was exciting and could be a great way to culminate my career.... And after all money isn’t everything. He agreed to accept my application and present it to the Board of Education for their approval. He did, they did, and I became Jamestown Public School’s newest employee. Thank you Ray and Board!
I have not regretted that decision for one moment! During the past seven plus years I’ve had the great fortune to meet and work with some of the best and most dedicated educators and support staff anywhere, and remember I’ve met a bunch…. I've been consistently amazed and gratified in their acceptance of me, and their willingness to change and accept new or different ideas. Under the tutelage of our visionary Superintendent and his assembled administrative team I have witnessed the journey from a district at odds, to a community of focused individuals working toward the common good and the betterment of all. A district that has rededicated itself to giving our children the best education we are capable of offering…
What can I say, quite a lot it would seem, but the thing I’d most like to say is….
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