BCS Interim Super Leffler Announces Resignation

by David Flint
Eileen Leffler, who was appointed Interim Superintendent of the Berlin Central School District just over two months ago, has announced that she is leaving the District effective October 3. She has accepted a position as the administrator for grants and program development at the City School District of Albany. Leffler, who has worked in the District as a teacher and administrator for the past 18 years, said the decision to leave was not easy but that her new position is aligned with her career goals and interests. “Working at Berlin CSD has been truly rewarding and enjoyable. I am forever thankful for the working relationships and professional experiences that I have had as a result of being part of the Berlin CSD community,” Leffler said.
School Board President John Greene said on Tuesday that a special meeting had been set for Thursday of this week at which time Board members and administrators will discuss the next steps for appointing a new Interim Superintendent. The Board is currently in the early stages of initiating a search for a permanent Superintendent.
Greene said Leffler’s resignation came as a surprise to him. As a new Board President he said that he regarded Leffler’s depth of experience in the District as a real asset. He expressed concern that a new, temporary replacement coming from outside would not provide that continuity, however he believed that there are good people on staff who will be able to provide the assistance that such a replacement would need. In any case, he said, the search for a permanent Superintendent becomes now that much more important, and it will be on the agenda for the next regular Board meeting on September 21.
Greene was not sure what approach the District will take to hire a new Interim Superintendent. He said he realizes there is reluctance in some quarters about relying too much on Questar III BOCES, but, given that speed is essential at this point, he believed that  they may have to go in that direction.
Greene expressed also some chagrin about the flap over the Berlin District not having local news coverage on the first day of school. He was sorry to see Elementary School Principal Michelle Colvin caught in the middle of what could be construed as a misunderstanding. “Communication is not our strong point,” he said. “We need to work on that.” He noted that the Board had recently had discussions about how to have better communication with the public but felt that as President he might not have secured closure on everyone agreeing as to how it would work. He agreed with Leffler’s statement regarding this matter that further clarification and review of the Board’s policy on this topic is necessary. “I hope we can now move forward and do positive things,” Greene said.