Elbridge, NY -- The Jordan-Elbridge school board has hired former Whitesboro school Superintendent Lawrence Zacher as interim superintendent. Board President Mary Alley made the announcement at a special board meeting Friday night. Zacher will serve until the end of June, when a permanent superintendent to replace Marilyn Dominick is to be named. Zacher starts work Monday, and he takes...
View full sizeJordan-Elbridge interim school Superintendent Lawrence Zacher signs his contract tonight as board President Mary Alley looks on. In background are BOCES Superintendent and board member Diana Foote. Elbridge, NY -- The Jordan-Elbridge school board has hired former Whitesboro school Superintendent Lawrence Zacher as interim superintendent.
Board President Mary Alley made the announcement at a special board meeting Friday night. Zacher will serve until the end of June, when a permanent superintendent to replace Marilyn Dominick is to be named.
Zacher starts work Monday, and he takes over even though a pending legal action seeks to bar the district from hiring an interim or permanent superintendent and to restore Dominick to her job.
“I think we’re going to let the courts adjudicate those issues for us,” Alley said. “I think we’re really interested in trying to move forward in the best interests of our children.”
View full sizeLawrence ZacherZacher said he is not interested in taking over the Jordan-Elbridge job permanently.
Alley also announced the formation of a community committee, made up of business owners, educators and others in the community to serve as a bridge between the community and the board and improve communication.
Zacher acknowledged the controversy rocking the district in which two administrators have been suspended with pay, another transferred involuntarily, the superintendent released three years into a five- year contract and the district treasurer fired.
“I think the district needs someone who not tied into, so deeply tied into, the problems of the district,” he said. “Look at them objectively. Make recommendations to the board and take what actions we have to take. If it requires a change in direction, … we need to change direction. You can only swim against the tide for so long.”
He had no pat solutions for the problems plaguing the district, but he vowed to be honest, open and straightforward.
“We all need to back away and take a look at what the issues are and try to give each other the benefit of the doubt,” he said. “It doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything.”
Alley said Zacher could help the district solve its problems.
“I think it’s very important to have somebody from the outside,” she said. “Somebody who is not connected in any way to the board, the administration or even this community who can really give an objective look at what’s going on and help this district to move forward.”
Reach John Stith at jstith@syracuse.com or 251-5718.