Amherst Central District selects new superintendent
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Laura K. Chabe

The Amherst Central Board of Education named a new superintendent to start at the end of the school year and saw the return of its current superintendent at the March 6 meeting.

Board President William T. Blanford said current Westfield Academy and Central Schools Superintendent Laura K. Chabe has been selected as the district's new superintendent and will assume the post upon the retirement of current Superintendent Dennis Ford in June. Her contract was ratified at a special board meeting on Tuesday.

Chabe is a 1982 graduate of Fredonia State College and has more than 20 years of experience in education. Prior to her current position as Westfield superintendent, she served four years as an elementary school principal at Westfield, four years in administration and eight years as a special education teacher in the Fredonia Central School District and three years as a special education teacher in the Liberty Central School District.

She earned a certificate in administration from Fredonia State College and a master's degree in special education from the University at Albany. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership and policy at the University at Buffalo.

The appointment of Chabe follows a five-month search by the board to find a successor to Ford, who has been the district's superintendent for the last 11 years.

Blanford said the district received input from various stakeholders inside and outside the district through a series of focus groups to decide what characteristics would be needed in the new superintendent. The selection process was conducted by Dr. Vincent Coppola of the Western New York Educational Service Council at the University at Buffalo on a confidential basis to ensure participation from numerous qualified candidates, Blanford added.

Blanford thanked the board for their efforts in the selection process and for the help of Paul Wietig, who has been serving as acting superintendent in Ford's absence.

"He was not only a strong and experienced administrator that we know him to be for normal issues but also steady and level-headed in some unusual times, including the October storm and its aftermath, such as figuring out what to do with the school calendar," said Blanford.

"Before I went on my extended leave some board members asked me if they thought it would work, and I said, I have absolutely no doubt that it would work, not that it could work," added Ford, who has been out since mid-August attending a family illness. "I also thought Paul did a yeoman's effort, and I thank him."

Ford said he has been back to work since Jan. 31 and wanted to return in time to help the board with its budget for the 2007-08 school year.

Wietig, who has returned to his duties as deputy superintendent, was not at the meeting. Ford has requested Wietig help coordinate the selection process for a new principal at Smallwood Drive Elementary.

Ford said 21 candidates with a wide range of experience have already applied for the Smallwood principal job. Candidates may apply until March 31.

The district is looking for someone who can communicate effectively in writing and orally, maintain order and discipline in a fair and equitable manner, state clearly the goals and expectations for staff and students, and develop instructional strength by cultivating best teaching practices.

Those interested in applying should submit a letter of application, completed form, resume and professional credentials online at www.amherstschools.org or send a letter to Wietig at the district office, 55 Kings Highway, Amherst, N.Y. 14226.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com