Announcement of Vacancy Superintendent New York School for the Deaf

555 Knollwood Road White Plains, NY 10603 www.nysd.net

 

Position Announcement for Superintendent New York School for the Deaf New York School for the Deaf (NYSD) in White Plains is seeking a Superintendent to begin on or about June 15, 2017. Affectionately known as Fanwood to the School and Deaf community, NYSD received its charter on April 15, 1817 and began instruction to 4 deaf students on May 12, 1818. As the second oldest school for the deaf in the United States, NYSD will be celebrating its 200th anniversary on April 15, 2017. NYSD is one of 11 private, State-supported schools for the deaf, blind and severely physically disabled children approved under Section 4201 of Article 85 in the New York State Education Law. As a 4201 School, NYSD offers quality education in a language-rich environment specially designed for deaf and hard of hearing students, from birth through 21 years of age. In the 2016-2017 school year, NYSD is providing educational programs to approximately 175 students from as many as 40 school districts in the Hudson Valley and New York City. There are no tuition and transportation costs to parents and families; school districts are reimbursed for most of the tuition costs they pay to NYSD. Upon completion of their education plan at NYSD, students receive a Regents or high school diploma or a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) commencement credential. Many of them enter college or the workforce and become successful, tax-paying citizens and lifelong supporters of NYSD through its Alumni Association. Operations at the School are under the direction of the Superintendent, who is ultimately responsible to NYSD’s Board of Trustees. The Board has been actively engaged in a search for the next Superintendent and has identified some of the characteristics for an ideal candidate, which appear on the next page.

New York School for the Deaf is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, religious affiliation, disability, or age in the recruitment and appointment of employees.

 

Qualifications of the Candidate The School is seeking candidates with the following qualifications and experience: • Demonstrated broad intellectual capacity and a record of professional achievement • Demonstrated ability to provide academic leadership and to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, parents, community leaders, and trustees of the School • Ability to manage the School’s budget • Commitment and ability to unify campus groups around the School’s strategic priorities, as well as to make resource and management decisions supporting these priorities • Knowledge and capacity to engage in outreach and fundraising • Readiness to learn the intricacies of New York State Education Department regulations for the operation of State supported schools • Clear commitment to standards of integrity, excellence and diversity Candidates must possess the following minimum qualifications: • Master’s degree (doctorate preferred) in education of the deaf, or a field related to educating deaf children including, but not limited to: language and cognitive development, education policy, and curriculum and instruction • At least 5 years of educational leadership experience in an upper management position (experience as a school or program director, principal, or superintendent preferred) • Experience and/or training in fundraising from public and private sources • State certification or evidence of readiness for State certification • Evidence of fluency in sign language (ASL preferred) The salary and benefits for the successful candidate will be commensurate with his or her experience and qualifications.

A Brief History of NYSD Chartered in 1817, NYSD is the second oldest school for the deaf in the United States and the oldest in New York State. Originally located in New York City in the Almshouse behind City Hall, the School moved uptown in 1829 to a ten-acre parcel of land between present day Saks’ Fifth Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The School moved again in 1856, after purchasing a 37.5-acre wooded estate on the bank of the Hudson River. There the School adopted Fanwood as its nickname. This name has followed the School to its current location. In the late 1890s, NYSD adopted a military curriculum to instill discipline and provide a more structured learning environment for students. The School was the first in the nation to do so and was also the first school for the deaf to form a military band. For the next 50 years, precise military drills were a daily occurrence on the School’s parade grounds. After spending 80 years in Upper Manhattan, the School purchased a 77-acre apple farm on Knollwood Road near White Plains in 1934. This is its current location. In 1952, the School dropped its military program and became a coeducational institution again. Since then, NYSD has continued to expand its mission of providing a wide range of educational services to deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

The Area NYSD is located in Westchester County, a centrally located county within the New York metropolitan area. While only about 45 minutes to New York City, the area also offers a plethora of outdoor activities from sailing to hiking to cross country skiing. Situated in the Historic Hudson Valley, it is home to many historic sites from the American Revolution, the African American Heritage Trail and several famous and historic properties.

Financial Data NYSD operates on a budget of approximately $14 million per year.

The School NYSD is a private non-profit charitable 501(c)(3) organization operated in cooperation with the New York State Education Department. Serving students from a 12-county area, encompassing more than 80 school districts, the School offers an educational curriculum that meets New York State education requirements. From its inception, NYSD has embraced innovative teaching techniques for deaf and hard-ofhearing children, from the use of American Sign Language in the 19th century to the latest advances in technology teaching aids, including smart boards and laptop computers in the 21st century. Focusing on individualized instruction from elementary through high school, NYSD seeks to provide an environment that both challenges and nurtures students to help them function as adults. NYSD has practiced a bilingual approach to learning – which encourages students to develop their linguistic ability in written English and American Sign Language. As educational opportunities for the deaf have expanded to include institutions like Gallaudet University and NTID at Rochester Institute of Technology, NYSD has been ready to help graduates take that step. In the last 30 years, many NYSD alumni have received degrees from Gallaudet and NTID, as well as other mainstream universities. At the same time, we strive to help all students prepare for life as adults, enabling them to develop skills for independent living, whether they go on to higher education or start a career. As NYSD approaches its 200th anniversary, the School will continue to build upon its heritage of combining individualized instruction for students with the latest innovations in education for deaf students.

Statements of Mission, Vision and Beliefs of New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood) MISSION The mission of New York School for the Deaf (NYSD) is to maximize the whole person potential of each student through comprehensive, rigorous educational programs and services within a communication and language-rich environment. NYSD is also committed to serve as an exemplary resource in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students. As a community and to achieve its goals, NYSD collaborates with families, school districts, agencies, the deaf community, the educational research community, philanthropic sources and other key stakeholders. VISION NYSD’s students will become confident, contributing, well-rounded, and successful individuals in an ever-changing world. BELIEFS In a safe, caring and accessible environment, NYSD is committed to: • ensuring every student is a genuine, interactive member of the school community in and out of the classroom • viewing deaf and hard of hearing people from a cultural and linguistic perspective rather than as disabled • embracing the diverse cultures and ethnicities of students and their families • excellence in a bilingual (American Sign Language and English) environment • using every individual student’s strengths and needs as a foundation for optimal learning and development • high academic expectations that include access to NY State Regents curriculum leading to a high school diploma or other pathways appropriate to the student • the development of spoken language and auditory skills as appropriate to the individual student • creating a strong foundation for critical thinking and lifelong learning in a rapidly changing and increasingly technological world • providing high school students with meaningful and individually designed work-based learning experiences to prepare them for the world of work • promoting a positive self-identity and keen awareness of community resources • instilling in every student a sense of social justice, integrity and a commitment to advocacy for self and others

The Application Process

Those interested should submit their résumé and letter of interest to: Alexis Kashar President, Board of Trustees New York School for the Deaf [email protected]

The Board of Trustees plans to recruit broadly to find candidates with experience that the position requires. Through the screening process, personal conversations, and background and reference checking, the Board will select a final candidate for the position and negotiate the compensation package. Throughout the process, the Board will protect confidentiality of all candidates.