Dr. James Schwarz’s goal of becoming a superintendent became reality last week after the Avondale Board of Education voted to hire him for the position at their Sept. 2 meeting.
‘I’m anxious to get started (at Avondale),? said Schwarz, who’s currently the Chief Academic Officer for Oxford.
Schwarz will officially begin his tenure at Avondale October 1.
When it came to looking at schools that were in need of a superintendent, Schwarz noted that he was ‘very selective? and that Avondale was one that piqued his interest because ‘it’s really reminiscent of where Oxford was seven or eight years ago.?
‘When we look at vision and look at change, they have all the roots and foundations set to help establish that. That’s sort of the next step for them and their spring board right now,? he added. ‘It seemed very fitting that the skills I’ve been able to acquire certainly through the past several years is going to be a huge benefit with assisting them in moving forward.?
While he is excited for his new venture, it doesn’t come without some ‘bittersweet? feelings of leaving a district that has been his home the past 16 years. Schwarz served his first eight years as principal of Clear Lake before taking on his current role as chief academic officer (previously known as assistant superintendent of curriculum & instruction). He is grateful for the opportunity that both the district and his colleagues have given him to ‘sharpen his skills as a district leader.?
‘I’ve got my footprint in about every initiative and everything we’ve done in the district,? he said. ‘Over that period of time, I’ve established a lot of relationships. It’s difficult to walk away from (those) and into something that still has a lot of unknown to it, so there is some anxiety associated with that, but I’ve been very blessed to have been in Oxford.?
Among the many initiatives Schwarz has been involved in, some include obtaining district wide International Baccalaureate certification, establishing Pre-K ? 12 World Language Program (The Fifth Core), expanding the STEM program, including partnerships with several area universities, starting a biomedical program at Oxford High School, launching the Oxford Virtual Academy and Oxford international Residence Academy, hiring an elementary literacy coach and district instructional coaches.
‘I am very appreciative of the autonomy and creativity we have been afforded through our visioning to build wonderfully powerful opportunities and programs for our students,? he added. ‘I am indebted to all of us in the Oxford educational family who helped shape Oxford to what it has become. I am in awe of the dedication and perseverance of all of our Oxford staff. It truly has been a remarkable 16 years ? (years) that will prove to have a dramatic impact on the preparation of our students for the competitive global workforce.?
As for what he will carry with him in terms of ideas and initiatives from Oxford to Avondale, it remains to be seen. Schwarz said he has no intention of ‘rubberstamping Oxford into Avondale.?
‘That’s not it at all. It’s going to be Avondale specific, Avondale tailored vision that’s going to involve their entire educational community. That may or may not include components (that) we’ve established in Oxford,? Schwarz explained. ‘I know they are very attracted by the kind of things we have done here, so it may be some things (we’ve done) or totally different things or a mixture, but ultimately it’s going to be up to that collective conversation with that educational community.?
In a press release, Superintendent Dr. William Skilling said he is ‘excited? for Schwarz? appointment at Avondale.
‘He is ready and very deserving of being a superintendent,? Skilling added. ‘Dr. Schwarz has accomplished more in his tenure as assistant superintendent and chief academic officer than most administrators accomplish in a career.?