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S E R V I N G TAY L OR , OL D F OR G E , MOOSIC & SURROUNDING AREAS TRIBOROBANNER.COM | SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
Scenes from last week’s Riverside vs. Lakeland varsity football game | PAGE 5
Scenes from last week’s Old Forge vs. Holy Cross varsity soccer game | PAGE 7
Taking Charge
A new superintendent in Old Forge BY JOSH MCAULIFFE SPECIAL TO THE TRIBORO BANNER
difference in the district? Keating: Old Forge has a longstanding Following a multi-faceted career in public tradition of community support and ineducation that has included significant volvement. Having come from a very large experience as a teacher, principal and adschool district, the idea of a small, commuministrator, Dr. Erin Keating was hired as nity-centered school where positive change the new superintendent of the Old Forge could be implemented and witnessed was School District earlier this year. very appealing. In late May, the Edwardsville resident Triboro: How long have you been on the was unanimously appointed to the position job now? What’s the learning curve been by the Old Forge School Board. Prior to be- like? coming superintendent, Keating had been Keating: I started on Monday, June the chief of leadership development and 24. With any new position there are new school operations for the Scranton School responsibilities and tasks that are foreign District. and that must be studied and comprehendWith school now in session, The Triboro ed so that they are executed properly. Banner recently caught up with Keating Triboro: How have you found the Old to see how the job was going thus far. Here Forge School Board, faculty, staff and, are highlights from that conversation. most importantly, the students, so far? Triboro Banner: Was superintendent a What strides are you taking to get to know job you had been progressively building to- people? ward throughout your career in education? Keating: Old Forge is one of the most Keating: It was a position to which I welcoming, friendliest places I ever was building. I taught at the middle school worked. I cannot say enough how hospilevel and was a principal at both the eltable everyone is. I am trying to interject ementary and high school levels in the myself into all aspects of the school and Wyoming Valley West School District. For community by attending sporting and civthe past five years, I was working in cenic events. I have also visited many of the tral office administration in the Scranton outstanding local restaurants. I start each School District. Concurrently, I completed morning outside the building helping to my letter of eligibility to be a superintendirect the traffic flow and offering a “good dent and my doctoral program. I felt I had morning” to students and parents — often the background to make the jump to being it is through old-fashioned introductions a superintendent. and handshakes that the best connections Triboro: What about Old Forge appealed are established. … It is a very welcoming, to you? How did you feel you could make a friendly environment with tremendous school spirit and pride. Triboro: What are your big goals for your first year? What areas do you think are most in need of attention in the district? Keating: Year one needs to be an assessTS_CNG/TRIBORO/PAGES [T01] | 09/11/19
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Dr. Erin Keating was hired as the new superintendent of the Old Forge School District earlier this year. ment of what’s working and what could improve. The things that need improvement should become committee projects, where the voices of all stakeholders are involved to make sure what is done is in the best interest of all parties. … Also, I would like to look at improving the schools’ state assessment scores and make sure that all policy and procedures are updated and aligned with the district’s strategic initiatives. Triboro: What are some of your longterm goals for the district? Keating: First, it’s not my vision — it’s the vision of the students, staff and community. I would like to work to bring them the programs and partnerships they need to maximize the offerings for all students. … Test scores need to improve — that is a solid goal. … I would like OFSD to be the premier small district in the state — a role model for other similar districts. Triboro: In your view, what are some of the qualities that make for a good superintendent?
Keating: Any great leader motivates the people working with them to want to be the best. They lead by example and are never afraid to be an active part of the solution. They are honest and straightforward — and never afraid to admit that they don’t have the answer, but they will find one. Triboro: Other thoughts as you continue to get acquainted to the job? Keating: Having had the pleasure to work in Scranton, I made many wonderful connections to community partners and Lackawanna County resources to help students and the community at large. What I have noticed is that these resources are not as actively engaged in Old Forge, or sometimes are unknown. I want the students and community of Old Forge to have every means that is available present and part of their resources. Just because we are small does not mean that our kids should not have the same services and assets as larger districts.