Posted 9/4/12

District to focus on raising graduation rate

The newly appointed Superintendent of Schools Mike Vanyo welcomed staff back to a new school year on Tuesday. 

Vanyo told staff, "The question I want you to ask yourself everyday, no matter what grade you teach is, 'What can I do to raise the graduation rate?'"

Removing the district from the state's "Focus" list will be a top priority stated Vanyo.  "We need to see this as a district issue not just a  high school issue," he said.

Vanyo also addressed the new laws and regulations governing schools this year such as the APPR and the Dignity for All Students Act, in addition to a new grading policy. "As a result, we will need to work smarter, not harder," said Mr. Vanyo.

Vanyo comes to Gloversville from the Liberty Central School District in Sullivan County  where he served as superintendent of schools for the past five years.

During this time, Liberty was able to move from a School In Need of Improvement to a School in Good Standing. Under Vanyo’s leadership, the district implemented programs that focused on improving graduation rates, student behavior and attendance. Between July 2009 and July 2011, graduation rates at Liberty increased by over 15 percent.

In addition to his five years as superintendent for Liberty, Vanyo has also served as Liberty’s chief school financial officer from 2006 to 2007. Previous experience includes serving as a business administrator for Lake George Central School District and Hoosic Valley Central School District; he has also served as a state aid specialist for Questar III BOCES and a business education teacher at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District.