Sweet Home hires new high school principal
Administrator Miller announces 2007 retirement
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

Reinholz

A former Sweet Home High School administrator will return as principal effective Monday, Dec. 11.

Joleen Reinholz was approved by the Board of Education at its Nov. 21 meeting. She succeeds Paul Hendel, who had served as interim high school principal since the start of the 2006-07 school year.

Hendel took over for Suzanne Thomas, who left to become an assistant principal at Orchard Park High School.

Reinholz was a special education teacher at Sweet Home High School from 1996-02 and served as assistant principal from 2002-04. Most recently, she was the primary principal and director of special education for the Akron Central School District.

A Cheektowaga native, she is a graduate of St. Mary's High School in Lancaster.

"Joleen emerged as the top candidate after participating in three rounds of interviews," Superintendent Geoffrey Hicks wrote in a letter mailed to district families following the meeting.

"At each step in the process it became more apparent that Joleen was the absolute best fit to be the next principal at the high school."

Miller

Reinholz holds a bachelor's degree in special studies from Fredonia State College and a master's degree in special education from the University at Binghamton. She completed her administration certification at Canisius College.

"My first priority is to get to know the entire school community including students, families and staff," Reinholz said. "Continual improvement is the cornerstone of Sweet Home's high academic achievement. I am committed to working with all groups to create an optimal learning atmosphere that is safe and grounded in mutual respect."

She also said she plans to build upon the unique characteristics the district has to offer.

"Sweet Home is a very diverse cultural district. I have always gravitated towards diversity throughout my educational career. At Sweet Home, our diversity is the source of our strength. I will continue to encourage teachers to tap into the interests of all our students when preparing lessons," Reinholz said.

"I am confident that there is no challenge we can't overcome when we work as a team."

Also at last week's meeting, the Board of Education accepted the retirement of Thomas D. Miller, director of finance and plant services.

Miller has been with the district since 1973, first as a teacher at what was then called the junior high.

"During my years at Sweet Home, I have had the opportunity to guide, teach, and coach young men and women from which I draw many fond memories," Miller wrote in his retirement letter to Hicks.

"I have worked with terrific people whom I call friend with great work ethics devoted to the mission and vision of Sweet Home. I have had the pleasure of working with people who want only the very best for the students of the community and our school. Every minute of this time I was very proud to say that I worked for Sweet Home School as an Administrator and a former teacher."

Miller's retirement will take effect on Nov. 30, 2007.

A graduate of Starpoint High School, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University

at Buffalo in three and a half years and earned his master's degree in education from Buffalo State College. He also

achieved his certificate of advanced study at Buffalo State and did graduate work at the University at Buffalo.

His wife, Linda, will retire this June. She is an English teacher at the Amherst Middle School. They have four children.

Miller said he was proud to have worked in the Sweet Home

district during its first 50 years, and been a part of designing changes to the buildings and curriculum that will be in effect during the next 50.

"I have good memories and good friends. The district is in good hands," he said.

e-mail: dsherman@beenews.com