The Herricks School District approved a contract last week with District Wise Search Consultants (DWSC) to find successors for Herricks School Superintendent John Bierwirth and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Deirdre Hayes.
Bierwirth will remain with the district until the end of the 2014-15 school year, and Hayes until Dec. 31. The two retirements were announced on May 29.
DWSC will handle the review process for Bierwirth and Hayes’ positions, according to School Board President Jim Gounaris.
“What they’re going to do is interview members of different groups within the community to see what motivates and interests them,” he said. “So, that way parents can give their input, teachers can give their input, students can give input, and we can get a good flavor of the characteristics, and we can use that information to help find our next superintendent.”
Robert Freier of District Wise Search Consultants was expressed his desire to see the search for Bierwirth and Hayes’ replacements.
“We’re honored to have been chosen in the search to replace these fine individuals,” he said. “We really plan on going out into the community, talking with everyone, and interviewing a great number of applicants to find exactly what you’re looking for…the best possible people for these important jobs.”
Herricks Bids Farewell To Retirees
The Herricks Board of Education bid farewell to large group of retirees as they completed the final year of careers in the district on June 12.
The departing 18 Herricks employees, were made up of a diverse group of teachers, administrators, and aides, numbered 18. However, Board of Education President James Gounaris noted that there were
additional retirees were unable to attend that evening’s meeting. Gounaris extended the school district’s appreciation for the gathered men and women who had made a difference in the lives of district students.
“We have a group of retirees who were able to attend tonight, and the one thing that is staggering is that if I count among this group, there’s 280 years of total service to the district combined,” he said.
“I have to say that they are part of the brain trust that have made Herricks what it is.”
Gounaris presented each retiring employee with certificates of merit, and bade them a happy and relaxing retirement.
“The good news is that you all look young enough to actually enjoy it,” he joked.
In addition, four graduating student representatives who had been serving as liaisons between the student body and the board were honored that evening.
“They worked tirelessly all year for us, but more importantly, they worked tirelessly for themselves and their grades and their parents and their families,” he said.
Contract Talks Continue
An update was given on contract negotiations with both the Teachers and Teachers Assistants unions. While Gounaris said that talks have been going smoothly with the former, he noted that an unfortunate speed bump has formed on the road to arriving at a deal with the latter.
“While we’re making progress with the Teachers, talks have stalled with the Teachers Assistants, and both parties have declared an impasse,” he said. “As a result, a mediator will be appointed by the New
York State Public Employment Relations Board to assist the parties in reaching a settlement.”
The mediator does not have the ability to impose a contract on either of the parties, according to Gounaris.
“The board and central administration are committed to delivering a fair contract that respects both employees and the tax payers, and one that helps Herricks to remain a premiere school district,” he said.
