Amherst Central
Director of special education accepts job at Akron
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Payne

An Amherst administrator has announced he will expand his professional career in Akron.

Scott Payne, director of special education for the Amherst Central Schools, will end his career in the district on Aug. 24.

He resigned after accepting the position of director of student services for the Akron Central School District.

Payne had served as director since 2002 and prior to that was assistant director for Nancy Calabrese for two years.

"The programs here are phenomenal," he said about Amherst. "The professional staff, support staff and administrative team are of the highest caliber."

Payne is a graduate of Nichols School where he first started working with special needs students as part of an internship. He then worked as a camp counselor with disabled adults.

A graduate of Buffalo State College, Payne attended the school for his undergraduate and graduate degrees and also achieved his administration certificate there.

He worked as a BOCES special education teacher for eight years. He was assigned to the Amherst School District in his eighth year in 1994.

Payne was named chairman of the Committee on Special Education and was put on special assignment to develop programing.

As his career developed, Payne said he knew he wanted to work in administration.

He said his role in Akron is very similar to that in Amherst but will also offer him the chance to learn, grow and build.

Eventually he would like to serve as an assistant superintendent and possibly a superintendent.

He said Amherst Central has started the interviewing process but has not yet named a replacement.

"It was such a pleasure to work with and help contribute to developing a program of excellence," he said.

Also leaving the district is Amherst Middle Assistant Principal Lee Pierce. His last day is Aug. 21.

In the past year, several administrators have left Amherst: Superintendent Dennis Ford, Assistant Superintendent Paul Wietig, Dean of Students Jack Koch and Smallwood Drive Elementary Principal Barbara Marotto.