ROCKY RIVER, Ohio --Adham Schirg began his tenure as superintendent of the Rocky River City Schools on Aug. 1.
To welcome him to his new position and give the community a chance to meet their new superintendent, a meet-and-greet ice cream social was held at Rocky River High School that evening.
Schirg was able to share his commitment and vision for the district while getting to know some members of the community.
In a follow-up email interview, Schirg expanded on his plans for Rocky River over the next five years and addressed key concerns from the community.
“Rocky River is a school community rooted in tradition, defined by a culture of excellence and strengthened by incredible people,” Schirg said.
“Any true vision for the future must be built with the community, not just for it.
“One layer to this is partnering with our teaching, administrative and support staff. We are fortunate to have incredible and committed staff that want to lift River to new heights.
“Our ‘First Four Months’ plan outlines key steps to strengthen communication and deepen engagement with stakeholders across Rocky River,” he said.
”Over the next several years, I look forward to partnering with our students, families, staff and community members to shape a shared vision: one that honors our past, reflects our values and boldly prepares us for what’s next."
Addressing concerns about the community feeling unheard, he said, “One of the most important priorities during this time is to listen and learn.
“I encourage community members to join us at events like Community Coffees and other upcoming opportunities to connect, share ideas and have meaningful conversations about our schools.
“Building strong, transparent partnerships starts with showing up, stating that I’m committed to doing just that.
“The first step is meeting people where they are. That’s how we truly understand what’s working well in our communication and where we have room to grow.
“We’ve already launched a survey to gather input on communication practices, which will guide us in reaching people through a variety of channels.
“But most importantly, strong communication starts with presence,” he said.
“Being visible -- in our schools, at events and throughout the community -- goes a long way in building trust and opening meaningful dialogue.”
When asked about standing strong against external challenges that could hurt students, including potential cuts to special education funding, Schirg outlined the district’s position.
“Our staff and families work tirelessly to ensure that every student receives the personal support they need to reach their full potential.
“Fortunately, because a significant portion of our revenue is generated locally, we have meaningful control over how we allocate resources and staffing to meet student needs.”
He also detailed his advocacy efforts: “Beyond the local level, I’m actively engaged in advocacy through the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) and maintain close relationships with our local legislators.
“These platforms allow us to share firsthand perspectives on how proposed reforms or funding cuts would affect our students.
“By staying connected and vocal, we will continue to advocate strongly and consistently for all students, staff and families in Rocky River.”
On the question of whether budget allocations should prioritize equity and access to high-quality education for every student, Schirg was clear in his response:
“Our budget decisions must reflect our belief that every student deserves access to a high-quality education, no matter their needs, background or interests.
“That includes funding for special education, modern technology and opportunities that support a wide variety of student strengths and passions.
“A big part of protecting and promoting that access is through strong relationships with legislators,” he said.
“These connections give us the ability to advocate directly on behalf of our students, highlighting what’s working in Rocky River and pushing back when policies threaten to take us in the wrong direction.
“We stay engaged, share what our students and staff need and make sure the voice of our community is heard.”
And with possibly the toughest question of all, Schirg made sure he passed the test -- when asked about his favorite ice cream flavor, Schirg responded with humor: “Anything with peanut butter ... and it needs to be from Mitchell’s.”
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