Fischer Says Farewell To Oswego School District

by Steve Yablonski | June 17, 2008 11:26 pm

OSWEGO, NY – David Fischer said it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as superintendent of the Oswego City School District.

Tuesday night, the board of education voted to accept his resignation for the purpose of retirement.

Fischer said he’d take a little time to relax and enjoy his retirement.
However, he will get back in the saddle again as of July 1 as he becomes the superintendent of the Bellingham, Mass., school district.

In late May the Bellingham district interviewed its two finalists, Fischer and Superintendent Michael Ludwell of Manchester, N.H.

The Bellingham board selected Fischer as their new superintendent in early June.

He thanked all the people who have supported him over the years in Oswego.

“I believe there are many sources of great pride in the Oswego City School District,” Fischer said. “I do believe overall we have a very talented teaching staff. I do believe that we have a very dedicated support staff. I do believe that we have a highly capable, competent, conscientious and caring leadership team.”

He also cited Joanne Conzone and Karen Canale who he works with closely every day.

“I certainly also want to thank the many passionate parents who stepped to the microphone on a consistent basis. They truly care about what happens in this district. I want to commend them,” he said. “I don’t see their passion as something that is a negative. They’re trying to get our attention because they love their children, they love their schools and they want the very best for their children.”

The leadership team (Bill Crist, Cathy Chamberlain and Peter Colucci) he’s had to work with was “outstanding,” his said, his voice wavered for a moment.

My voice is cracking because I have not only enjoyed my relationship with them, I sincerely care about them as people as well,” he explained. “I believe I leave the district in very good hands with their leadership as well as the leadership of all the other administrators.”

“I need to be very honest and say to you that I will miss many things about my experiences in Oswego. But, not everything,” he said alluding to the discord that pops up now and then around the board table.

Fischer said he tried to do what’s best for students and staff.

But, a superintendent has to make unpopular decisions, “you can’t make everybody happy,” he admitted.

“I believe it is important for the district as you move forward to remember that what we do on a daily basis has so much to do with the relationships that we have,” he pointed out. “The relationship between the teacher and the student is very important in terms of teaching and learning.”

The relationships between staff, school board, community members, the superintendent and other administrators is also very, very important, he added.

The cornerstone for success in those relationships is to make sure that everyone treats each other with respect, he said.

“I would hope that the board and the school system work as a team in the future,” he said. “I am very much looking forward to the next chapter of my personal and professional life. And, I do sincerely wish the district the very best.”

“Mr. Fischer and I haven’t always seen eye to eye, but it has been rather interesting,” board member Dave White noted. “I do want to wish you the best in Massachusetts. I told the guy down there that you’ll do a good job for him. I also told him, ‘once in a while he gets a little bull headed.'”

“Me!?” Fischer interjected in faux surprise.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/fulton/fischer-says-farewell-to-oswego-school-district/

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