New superintendent wants to work with community
By MARK J. MILLER, Staff writerArticle Photos
TORONTO - Fred Burns, incoming superintendent for the city school district, wants the community to become a partner in educating the pupils and students enrolled in the district.
Burns, who recently signed a three-year contract with the city school board and is a 1967 graduate of Toronto High School, brings his long record of educational and administrative experience to the district, officially beginning Aug. 1.
Burns' resume includes attending the former College of Steubenville and graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1971 before attending the University of Dayton to earn his master's degree in 1977. He also has completed post-graduate studies at several colleges and universities since.
Burns' first teaching assignment was as an elementary school teacher in Irondale, and he's served as principal at several elementary schools in the Ohio Valley. Burns also has been superintendent of Southern Local School District from 2001 to 2006 as well as the Jefferson County Educational Service Office in 2007. Burns has been active in the communities he's served, involved in everything from regional spelling bees to helping manage a $15 million construction project for new district buildings.
Burns, who already has begun administrative duties for the district, said his main priority during his tenure at Toronto will be to help build ties of trust between parents, pupils, students, teachers, administrators and the community at large.
"My goals are to provide some continuity, re-establish trust and have everyone believe we are a team," said Burns, adding he wants the community to "have faith in what's going on."
Burns also said he will be dealing with the public on changes that will be coming to the district.
"We need to keep some of the past but also make some changes," Burns said.
Some of the reasons changes are necessary include what Burns said are daunting challenges ahead, including a declining enrollment, the local economy, older buildings, maintaining and using current technology and "doing a good job preparing our students.
"I think we need to develop an openness where people can come and discuss, maybe disagree, but hopefully get answers," Burns continued, adding he wants people with concerns to come to him and administrators. "My challenge to people is to come and ask (questions about concerns or problems.) Don't let it fester. Ask why. I'm a very accessible person. I have never failed to respond to a phone call, e-mail, letter or question."
Burns said he takes detailed notes when having discussions, adding "that way I'll have a good recollection on what was discussed."
Burns also said there are going to be times when people disagree with some decisions, but that he will listen.
"You can't always solve every problem," Burns said. "You have to listen (to people's concerns) and make sure you get back to them."
He added the answer may "not always be what they want to hear, but at least they know they've been responded to."
Burns also said he will expect the same of teachers and administrators in the district.
"I've also asked administrators to be accountable," he said. "We won't ask anything of them that we won't do ourselves."
Burns said the community needs to think differently about the school district and be reasonable about issues that may arise.
"Don't blame us if we have problems," said Burns. "Everyone has problems. Look at how we attempt to solve those problems, if they are correctable. Judge us by that."
Burns said he can be contacted by calling (740) 537-2456 extension 210.
(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)
