George F. Baker High School's principal resigns
By Nancy Kriz
TUXEDO — The principal of George F. Baker High School has resigned his position, just a week before school opens.
The Tuxedo School District announced the news this past Tuesday on its web site.
The last day for Art Schouten, who held the position for just one year, will be Sept. 25, according to Superintendent Nancy Teed.
'A rare opportunity' in Wappingers
On Baker high school's Facebook page, Schouten posted this message:
"I have been offered a position with the Wappingers School District as their Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Data, Assessment, and Library Media Services," he wrote. "This is a rare opportunity to move forward in my career that I cannot overlook. This has not been an easy decision. Although I haven’t been at Tuxedo long, this school, its staff, and its students have become a profound part of my life. We have weathered many storms together; we have fought many battles together. Good or bad, I have truly enjoyed working here, but I believe it’s in my best interest to take my career to the next level."
The school superintendent said Schouten's departure was not anticipated.
"Art’s resignation was an unexpected development," Teed wrote in a note to The Photo News late Wednesday.
She added that Jason Schrammel, who is the high school's assistant principal, will be named principal of both George Grant Mason School, home to kindergarten through sixth-grade students, and the high school, where seventh and eighth-graders will join ninth through 12th graders this fall.
Schrammel's appointment as the K-12 principal for both schools is pending, at it requires approval from the State Education Department.
'As a leader'Schrammel, on his LinkedIn page, wrote: "As a leader it is my vision to provide an engaging, proactive, student-centered learning community that strives to inspire positive academic and social achievement through the successful partnership between parents and the educational system. Motivated students will be able to think critically and creatively, solve problems effectively, and demonstrate behaviors that indicate self efficacy, ethics, and interpersonal competence. In this evolving and diverse society, my vision is that all learners develop their maximum individual potential and acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become respectful, focused, ambitious, and contributing members of the growing global community."
'Well-versed'In a community letter posted on the district's web site, Teed wrote: "Having one superb principal for our two schools on one campus is a desirable alternative at this time. Mr. Schrammel is well-versed in the workings of GGM and has had the added benefit of teaching in the GFB High School and most recently serving as the high school assistant principal for the 2014-2015 school year."
The district will be recruiting for a K-12 assistant principal, she also wrote.
As part of her Photo News email, Teed reinforced the district "is continuing moving ahead with a vision of a STEM Academy that is unique. \The roll out of the 1:1 hand held devices is an important piece to the program as we have expanded our STEM Program to our elementary school. We appointed one of our elementary teachers as a teacher on special assignment to focus on enrichment, in particular, STEM enrichment, in our K-6 Program."
Changes continueIn addition to Greenwood Lake students no longer attending Baker high, Schouten's exit is one of many changes Tuxedo School District is addressing as it considers to again pursue a conversion charter school option.
At the end of the 2013-14, Principal Denis Petrilak resigned to become principal of the Chester Academy High School, with Schouten taking over his position last September.
This past June, Superintendent Carol Lomascolo announced her retirement, which will take place following a transition period early this fall to assist Teed.