Board of Education Expected to Name Someone from Within District as New School Superintendent

members won't have to look far in naming a replacement for Superintendent Patricia Cole, who is expected to announce her retirement at tonight's school board meeting.

Board Trustee Kathy Bedikian said the board has already agreed that the successor will be someone from within the district.

While a name has not yet been publicly announced, Bedikian said, Cole will make a recommendation to the board on whom she believes is best to replace her.

Bedikian said she considers Cole, who has led the district for 17 years and worked in it for 42, “a humble mentor, an educator, an advocate and a friend.”

“She loves this job,” Bedikian said. “She loves these kids. She loves this district. Over the last 17 years, this has been her life. She is passionately committed to serving. “

Last year, Bedikian nominated Cole for the 2011 Tri-County Superintendent of the Year award, which she won in November.

“She is the consummate educator,” Bedikian said. “Everything she thinks, says and does is all education all the time. … She took a pay cut this year, voluntarily, and was the only administrator to do so. Any budgetary constraints we have are kept as far away from the children as possible. She makes it a priority to keep class sizes low and teachers salaries high (because they should be) and programs up and running."

Bedikian said she shares Cole’s philosophy that all students must be afforded the opportunity to succeed in the path best fit for them.

“She has told me on a number of occasions that we need to make a place where ‘every child has a chance to be the star,’” Bedikian said. “This doesn't just mean on the theatre stage, where our students do excel, but also in the band hall, the automotive shop, the Jo Brighton Skills Center kitchen, the football field and the pool. And this sentiment is for all the students, from preschool to senior year.”

At tonight’s meeting, three other administrators are set to announce their retirements as well. They are Director of Operations Edward Campbell, Business Manager David Gutenschwager and Payroll Administrative Assistant Patricia Markiecki.

School board members are expected to accept the retirements and then immediately begin discussing “district leadership and transition,” according to the meeting’s agenda.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers on the second floor of , 3131 Biddle Ave.