Williamstown Elementary Principal Johnson To Retire
 After 41 years in education, Steven Johnson will retire in June after seven years as principal of the elementary school. |
"I had a choice. I could either be principal or chase my grandkids around," Johnson said. "It's just time. I've enjoyed working in Williamstown."
Johnson leaves behind 41 years in education and seven as principal at WES. He took over in 2004 when David Rempell retired. Then, at age 54, Johnson had 20 years of experience as principal at Hoosick Falls Elementary School, in Hoosick, N.Y.
Next on his agenda is traveling and spending time with his four grandchildren.
When he came to the school, Johnson carried a reputation as a well-liked principal by both students and staff. School Committee Chairman Adam Filson said he lived up to that reputation.
"My children speak highly of you. You definitely made a mark on my children. Thank you," Filson said. "It has been an absolute pleasure working with you."
Johnson announced his retirement to the staff during the school day and Superintendent of Schools Rose Ellis voiced her appreciation at the School Committee meeting — listing positive things Johnson has accomplished just this year.
"He brings out the best of us by his good example," Ellis said. "He has guided our children with the upmost care."
Johnson earned a bachelor's in education from the State University of New York in Oneonta and a master's from SUNY-Oswego in social science and education. He later received a certificate of advanced study in principalship. He started administration as assistant principal at Wellwood Middle School, in Syracuse, N.Y. He held that position for four years before going to Hoosick Falls.
The committee was also updated on Wednesday about progress on the new Youth Center, which is approved to be built on the school's grounds.
David Backus, of the Youth Center's building committee, reported that a packet with three different building locations and six different viable options will be available next week. Attaching the center to the school is not possible, he said, because of building codes. Fundraising still continues and the center is up to $3.19 million with several large donations expected, he said.
"The Youth Center plans to make all that information available on our website," Backus said.
 The School Committee will meet with town officials next week and then Youth Center officials shortly after, making a decision on a new center location. |
Resident Martha Westerdahl urged the board to move forward with the project.
"It's really clear that a lot of time has been put into this design," Westerdahl said. "Now is not the time to start from scratch or delay the project. A delay would be really disappointing."
The committee agreed to set up a meeting with Town Manager Peter Fohlin and other town officials on Thursday or Friday for questions and answers. The committee will meet with public works officials to ask about issues such as permitting, inspections, codes and financial planning. The committee will then set up another meeting with the Youth Center to move forward on one of the final designs.
Just three weeks short of the deadline, the committee also approved its bullying policy. In March, state lawmakers approved a strict bullying legislation that forced schools to rewrite their policies. The committee held a lengthy discussion about the draft and agreed that it filled the school's requirements, but will be adjusted later.
"This document is not going to sit on a shelf," Johnson said.
The new policy is similar to what the school currently has but has a broader approach, Ellis said. The policy lays out procedures from students to anonymously report bullying. The drafts are available here.
Johnson said the school will be having drop boxes that are expected to be used for students to report both bully-related and positive incidents.
The policy may need some adjustments after the school can collect data on how the updated policy is working, Ellis said.
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test scores are dramatically up in math but the school lost some points in English, Johnson also reported. The school has reached all state-performance targets, he said. To combat dropping English scores, Johnson said he worked with a consultant to design "real-time assessments" of the students which will form the basis of mid-year curriculum changes.
"We did something this year and I know that it will help those scores," Johnson said.
