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RYE, N.Y. -- Edward Shine said the reason for his retirement as superintendent of the Rye City School District began with the Latin phrase, otium liberale-- "liberating contemplation."
"It's time for me to move on," said Shine, 68, who has served as superintendent for 15 years and will remain for one more.
Shine announced his retirement a year in advance in order to assist with the transition to his successor and will vacate the position in June of 2012.
Although he will not be involved in the search for the next superintendent, he wants to prepare the district to address its oncoming challenges, specifically the increase in students and reconciling its budget with the two-percent property tax cap. "We're coming to a major transition into the future," he said. "The Board needs to consider which direction to take for the next 15 years."
Rye schools are considered some of the best in the nation with Rye High School ranking number 50 in Newsweek's 2011 list of top 100 schools. The district faces the challenge of not only maintaining the high quality education but innovating it within an environment of economic austerity.
"We don't remain one of the best school systems by standing still," said board president Laura Slack. "We move forward."
She cited recent examples of incorporating Mandarin Chinese into the high schools foreign language curriculum and expanding the use of technology in math classes.
Slack said the next superintendent would be selected by April 1, 2012, which will entail a national vetting process with opportunities for input from the community. Shine characterized the necessary qualities of an effective superintendent as being visible to and involved with the public, and having the best interest of the students at heart. "They (parents) trusts us a great deal to help them fulfill their expectations for their children's education," he said. "There is a covenant." What are your thoughts on Shine's tenure as superintendent? What do you expect from the next superintendent?
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