The West Genesee Board of Education is pleased to announce the three final candidates for the position of superintendent. They are David C. Bills, Linda J. Goewey, and Brian D. Kesel. The Board chose these finalists after carefully reviewing a pool of 11 candidates.
These candidates will be interviewed by key stakeholder groups throughout the day Tuesday, June 4. These groups are comprised of Administrators, Teachers/Paraprofessionals, and Non-instructional employees which include; transportation, food service, buildings and grounds, mechanics, office professionals and head custodians. A student group (grades 9-12) will also be interviewing the candidates during this time.
The public is invited to meet the finalists and provide feedback to the Board of Education during a public forum set for Tuesday, June 4, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of West Genesee High School.
During the forum, each candidate will have up to 30 minutes to address the audience. Those in attendance will be asked to fill out feedback forms on each candidate so members of the Board of Education can review them and take them into account before making their final choice.
The Board will review all criteria, and anticipate appointing a new superintendent on or about June 19. The candidate is expected to officially begin in the superintendent’s position on or about September 3.
The Board began its search for a new superintendent on March 6, when it appointed Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES District Superintendent Jody Manning to serve as the District’s search consultant at no charge.
The District is currently being led by Interim Superintendent Michael Schiedo, a retired superintendent from the Chittenango Central School District.
Here is more information about each finalist:
David C. Bills
David C. Bills has served 11 years as superintendent of the Honeoye Central School District in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region outside of Rochester.
Prior to becoming superintendent, Bills worked as a building principal in two Rochester-area districts, including nine years in K-3 buildings in the West Irondequoit Central School District and two years as an elementary principal in the Wayne Central School District.
Before working for Wayne Central Schools, Bills taught instrumental music for 11 years at Victor High School, also outside Rochester, then spent a year working as an assistant principal for Victor Intermediate School.
Bills’ educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and a master’s degree in educational administration from SUNY Brockport. He also received his School Administrator and Supervisor Certification, his School District Administrator Certification, and his Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Brockport. He attended the Superintendent Development Program at SUNY Oswego.
In his letter to the West Genesee Board of Education, Bills described being a Syracuse native with first-hand knowledge of the high-achieving nature of the West Genesee Central School District. The District’s state and national recognitions and other “strong accolades come from success in classrooms, performance on stage and fields, and in many actions as ambassadors of the community,” he said.
In addition to leading a similarly high-achieving district in Honeoye, Bills said the opportunity to “return to Central New York to give back to the region of my youth would be an additional rewarding layer of service.”
Linda J. Goewey
Linda J. Goewey has served three years as superintendent of the Hudson Falls Central School District in Washington County, about an hour north of Albany.
Prior to her role in Hudson Falls, she worked nine years for the Central Square Central School District, which included six years as assistant superintendent of instruction and personnel and three years as principal of Brewerton Elementary School.
Prior to her work in administration, Goewey was a teacher for 22 years in the Central Square and Oswego school districts. Her teaching jobs included seventh- and eighth-grade English, and fifth and sixth grades. She was also a Reading First literacy coach for Kingsford Park Elementary School in Oswego. Her administrative internship was in 2005-2006 at Mexico Middle School.
Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in literacy education, both from SUNY Oswego. She also received her Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Oswego and participated in the college’s Superintendent Development Program.
In her letter to the West Genesee Board of Education, Goewey said her 32 years in education would bring “a wealth of credentials” to the District from someone who has always been “a teacher at heart” but has worked in a wide variety of educational roles.
In Hudson Falls, Goewey said she oversees the daily workings of seven buildings, leads the district in its instruction, and handles budgets for the entire district.
“I am a people-oriented person and believe it is essential to be open, honest, and trustworthy,” she wrote. “These attributes don’t come with one’s title; they are earned.”
Brian D. Kesel
Brian D. Kesel has served his entire educational career in the West Genesee Central School District, including the past 12 years as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Kesel began his career in the District in 1991 by working as a science teacher at West Genesee High School, a role that included serving in the role of Science Department chairperson for three years.
Kesel remained in that position for 13 years, until 2004, when he was promoted to assistant principal at West Genesee High School. He also completed his administrative internship during that time.
Outside of academics, Kesel also worked as the assistant marching band director at West Genesee High School for 10 years, from 1996 to 2006.
His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in physics from SUNY Albany and a master’s degree in science teaching from Syracuse University. He received his Certificate of Advanced Study and School District Administrator Certification from SUNY Cortland.
In his letter to the West Genesee Board of Education, Kesel said 28 years of service to the West Genesee school community has prepared him “to be the next educational leader for our families, teachers, staff and — most importantly — our current and future Wildcats.”
In addition to continuing his focus on “a continuous, prescribed cycle of standards, curriculum, instruction and common assessment implementation and review,” he also cited the importance of mental health literacy standards; instructional support all students, including English Language Learners; and support and access to instructional technology as key issues facing the West Genesee District.