Editorial

By Elizabeth Prata

Interim SAD 15 Superintendent Vicky Burns has her hands full. After former Superintendent Michael Wood abruptly left for greener pastures in June, Burns was appointed on July 2 as the Interim Superintendent for one year. For the first two months of her Superintendence, Burns doubled as the Director of Teaching and Learning, a large Department in and of itself, until Karen Caprio was hired to fill the position. She has had to deal with the fallout from an unwise implementation of a new Activity Fee, a school year that began absent a Food Services Director, a brand-new food service program for Kindergarten complete with snags and problems, relocation of students in three elementary schools due to a District-wide reconfiguration, unintended transportation issues resulting from the school reconfiguration, and internal personnel issues. Not to mention the Director of Finance and Operations' unexpected leave. And these issues are in addition to the normal operations of a large school District.

By all accounts this is a full plate.

I've observed several School Board meetings since Burns took over the reins. I have engaged with her on a number of these issues in interviews and correspondence. So far she has held her head high and has faced the challenges with honesty and integrity. There are many concerns the District is facing now, and they will take time to iron out. Meanwhile I feel comfortable in the leadership Burns has so far undertaken.