WAVERLY - Dr. Randy Richards, one of two finalists for superintendent of the Waverly Central School District, spent a day in the district Thursday.
Richards, currently interim superintendent of the Hammond Central School District in northern New York state, introduced himself to the community Thursday afternoon during a question and answer session.
Richards has 30 years of experience in schools, with 22 of those years in leadership roles, he said Thursday. Richards began his career as a home-school counselor in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., then served as a guidance counselor at various grade levels, he said.
Richards then served as an assistant principal and principal before becoming superintendent of the small Stockbridge Valley Central School District. He then left that position to be closer to his family during a relative's illness, he said.
Richards then became an elementary principal in Oswego, N.Y. and served as superintendent of the Lake Placid Central School District.
Members of Lake Placid's board of education elected not to renew Richards' contract at the end of the 2012-13 school year, according to news reports from the area. Those reports state that Richards was investigated by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2012 for gender discrimination against a then-administrator in the district.
Richards did not go into his time at Lake Placid in detail Thursday, calling the issue a personnel matter.
"I'm a fair, ethical man and I would be pleased to work here and be your next superintendent," he said. "I stand on my record."
Attendees at Thursday's meet-and-greet asked Richards about issues including bullying, shared services with the village of Waverly and nearby municipalities, and how he would lead the district through the adoption of Common Core standards.
Richards said he likes the idea of Common Core preparing students for college and career readiness, but agreed that implementation statewide has been "a little shoddy."
At the Hammond district, teachers are already adapting the standards to meet their needs, he said. And while the standards will take years to fully implement, Richards said he believes the Common Core should be viewed as an opportunity to create strong learners.
"Every district's got to figure out how to do it," he said.
Richards also said he relies on his experiences as a counselor and coach to inform his leadership style. He finds ways to maximize strengths, minimize weaknesses and have the right people in the right places, he said. Richards also said he is at ease making tough decisions, but is also fair in his decision-making process.
If Richards is chosen, he and his wife Lori plan to move to the district and stay for several years, he said. Richards said he found Thursday that the district needs solid, steady leadership after having multiple superintendents over the past few years. Richards also plans to be visible and active in the community, he said.
Richards does not plan to retire for five to 10 more years, he said. "I've got a lot of fuel left in the tank and a passion for what I do," he said.
Richards also remains in the running for the permanent superintendent position in the Hammond district, he mentioned Thursday.
Richards' visit follows that of finalist Ann Fuller-Sincock, principal of the Career and Technical Center at Greater Southern Tier Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Elmira, N.Y., who spent Tuesday in the district.
The board of education will use community input and other information gathered from the candidates' visits in making their final decision.
Amanda Renko can be reached at (570) 888-9652; or email: arenko@thedailyreview.com.