Part-time superintendent.AFTER 35 YEARS IN EDUCATION, curriculum coordinator Jeffrey Linton faced mandatory retirement A mandatory retirement age is the age at which persons who hold certain jobs or offices are required by statute to step down, or retire. Typically, mandatory retirement ages are justified by the argument that certain occupations are either too dangerous (military personnel) . "But I was 57, I still felt young and vital, and I thought I was too young to stop working entirely," he says. Wanting to enjoy some benefits of retirement while still maintaining a connection to education, Linton found the ideal position--as a part-time superintendent. Linton grew up in New Britain, Connecticut New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254. , attended Hobart College Hobart College can refer to:
Linton's interest in administration inspired him to complete a master's degree master's degree n. An academic degree conferred by a college or university upon those who complete at least one year of prescribed study beyond the bachelor's degree. Noun 1. in educational administration and supervision at Trinity College Trinity College, Ireland: see Dublin, Univ. of. Trinity College Private liberal arts college in Hartford, Conn., founded in 1823. It is historically affiliated with the Episcopal church, though its curriculum is nonsectarian. and the University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut is the State of Connecticut's land-grant university. It was founded in 1881 and serves more than 27,000 students on its six campuses, including more than 9,000 graduate students in multiple programs. UConn's main campus is in Storrs, Connecticut. . He became a high school assistant principal in Avon, but budgetary issues caused him to be reassigned to the middle school and then the elementary school elementary school: see school. within just three years. In 1992, he moved to the district level, becoming director of curriculum and instruction for nearby Regional District 10, which includes nearly 3,000 students and serves two towns outside Hartford, a post he held for 13 years. "It was during that time that I encountered the educational use of computers and the Internet, and within seven years, we had placed multiple computers in every classroom and moved our curriculum, lessons and grade books online," he says. When Linton was beginning his retirement in 2005, the nearby Barkhamsted School, a K6 school that comprises a tiny district with just 340 students in the town of Pleasant Valley, was looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a new superintendent. Filling the position was challenging, since the district is so small, and its office of superintendent is part-time. For Linton this was a perfect fit. In order to keep his retirement benefits, he was not allowed to work more than 40 percent of full time. Linton was also a perfect fit for the district, which was fortunate to find an administrator from a larger district with experience in a variety of positions. "I also didn't want to move, and Barkhamsted is just a 15-minute drive away from my home, he says. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pros and Cons pros and cons Noun, pl the advantages and disadvantages of a situation [Latin pro for + con(tra) against] Being a part-time, small-district superintendent has challenges and rewards. "It can be a struggle, continually trying to do the best job I can and make sure I'm not working more than part-time," says Linton. The limited resources of a small district are also a challenge, especially for Linton, who came from a district nearly 10 times the size of Barkhamsted. "Funding, particularly for technology, is tight, so we have to be creative," he says. Linton is always seeking out grants, and relies on his staff collaborating with one another for new training, as the district cannot afford its own technology staff and shares IT personnel with a neighboring neigh·bor n. 1. One who lives near or next to another. 2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another. 3. A fellow human. 4. Used as a form of familiar address. v. district. But he also appreciates the benefits of working in a small environment. "I really enjoy having regular, personal interactions with all of my staff members," he adds, noting that he is able to have a close mentoring relationship with his principal, 25 teachers, and 17 noncertified employees. Service and Learning Semi-retirement also affords Linton more time with family, and to volunteer. He recently became president of the 1,200-member CASCD, the Connecticut chapter of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, or ASCD, is a membership-based nonprofit organization founded in 1943. It has more than 175,000 members in 135 countries, including superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and , after serving on the board for the past 10 years. "CASCD is basically an education think tank," says Linton. "We provide research, conferences, workshops and other resources for educators." After a long career in education, Linton is still learning. "Through my tenures at the CASCD and at Barkhamsted, I have realized that many of the challenges we face in a small district are common to districts of any size." Kurt O. Dyrli is a contributing writer for DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. Jeffrey N. Linton Superintendent Barkhamsted (Conn.) School Age: 59 Tenure: Since 2005 Grades: K6 Students: 340 Staff: 43 No. of buildings: 1 Web address: www.barkhamstedschool.org |
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