Wietig named acting superintendent
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

The Amherst Central Board of Education has named Deputy Superintendent Paul Wietig as acting superintendent until further notice.

The action was taken at the board's Sept. 5 meeting to address the situation of current Superintendent Dennis Ford.

Ford has not attended the last three board meetings because of a family emergency.

"He's been in a lot," said board President William Blanford. "He recommended that we take an action to make Paul active superintendent."

It has been reported in a letter to district residents that Ford's absences are due to his son being diagnosed with cancer.

Blanford said Ford should return soon.

"It's probably a matter of weeks, but we felt the need for absolute continuity at the top," he said. Ford is slated to retire at the end of this school year. In another matter:

Opening day was a success, said Wietig.

"The faculty at the high school was out front at 7 a.m. greeting the kids as they came in," he said. "It was really nice to see them welcoming the kids back to school."

Wietig said there was only one late transportation pickup throughout the district.

He said Windermere Boulevard and Smallwood Drive faculty rode on district school buses for the first week of school to ensure that students get off at the right destination.

"At 4:10 p.m. everyone was back in and accounted for," said Wietig.

Wietig has also been working with the Amherst Police Department and Amherst Transportation Traffic-Safety Committee on monitoring traffic speed in front of the high school.

According to Wietig, a radar device was placed in front of the high school on opening day.

"It hasn't been a problem, but with the new school year you have to take precautions," he said.