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Associate Superintendent Candidate, Henry Kaiser
Visits School, Meets Parents Community Members Tuesday

“Experience, experience, experience,” is what Henry “Bud” Kaiser, one of the three finalists for the Schenectady High School associate superintendent position, said is the strength he brings to the school. 

Kaiser, currently a chemistry teacher at Holy Names Academy, introduced himself to a small group of district staff members, parents and community members at an open forum Tuesday night at Schenectady High School.   He spoke about his experience as a deputy superintendent of Pittsfield Public Schools and as a K-12 supervisor of science and technology at South Colonie Central School District.   

He talked at great length about an instructional model and value added program he implemented at South Colonie. “What I did in South Colonie is aligned the curriculum in grades 5-8,” he said.    “You have to see it to believe it,” he said referring to the value added program.  Kaiser pulled out a plotted chart and explained that every teacher can see where each student scores in relation to where they are expected to score.  The tool is used to see if the students are comprehending the material at any moment.   “It measures teacher instruction,” he explained.  “It’s not about passing or failure, it’s value added.” 

Kaiser compared Pittsfield to Schenectady, noting his former district’s student body was composed of 25-30% minorities and the drop out rate was about 33%.   “The bottom dropped out by sophomore year,” said Kaiser.  “We put 2,000 kids on the street every year requiring more police force and social services.”    He said he suggested an academy and putting more energy into students who can’t keep up.   He also favors every student taking the same subject the same year.  For example, all freshmen take biology, sophomores take chemistry etc.   “Support kids who need support a lot,” he added.  “And, create electives for students.”  He said that approach proved successful in Pittsfield and Colonie.  The number of kids taking physics quadrupled from 100 to 450. 

In response to a community member request, Kaiser also compared South Colonie as a suburban to Schenectady as an urban school district.  He explained that Colonie was one of 12 schools in the suburban council.  “We were at the bottom,” he added.   He spoke about the success stories and specific efforts specifically remediation.  “We can do it if we remediate and time on task,” he said.  He said students should retake tests and quizzes until they do well noting that you can take the bar exam, SAT’s and driving test more than once.   Kaiser also noted that the drop out rate at Colonie went from
20-2%.   

In order to get to know the students of Schenectady High School, Kaiser said he would spend time in the cafeteria.  “It’s easier to get to know them if you talk and walk amongst them,” he said.  “There are all there for 25 minutes.  You have to be present in the environment like that.”  Kaiser also said that the leader has to be the person who gives the students pep talks about doing well in school.   

He said in his former role he went to talk to eighth graders about opportunities in high school.  “You visit them as often as possible and day to day make yourself available,” he said.  Kaiser also said that the associate superintendent should be the person who knows where the students are going.  “Talk about their future.  What opportunities are there for
students?" 

Kaiser was asked how he views the value of fine arts.  He said it is an important component of any school system and it’s one of the departments that can sell itself.  “The fine arts puts the spotlight on itself.  You can’t get that from English, math and social studies.”  He added, “You’re giving college credits, development skills, knowledge and appreciation.”   

Kaiser favors 45 minutes class periods. “You need more time for electives,” he said.   He also noted that if teachers teach five periods out of nine, they can do remedial as well.   

A few were interested in knowing why Kaiser why left Pittsfield as an administrator to return to teaching.  He explained that after two years, he grew tired of the politics.  “The city council holds the purse strings,” he explained.  “City council holds the power of the school system.”  He said he gave them what they wanted but decided he couldn’t continue.  “It was a frustrating experience,” he added.  He said he returned to teach lower level students and “tried to save them.”   

Kaiser explained that he did try to retire.  “I tried to play golf,” he said.  “I was not good at that so I went back to teaching.”    He substitute taught for a number of area school districts including Schenectady.  “I got a good look at the clientele in Schenectady,” he said.  He said when he saw the open leadership position at the high school, he applied. 

“You’ve got to get yourself healthy to do it,” said Kaiser regarding keeping up with the programs and extra curricular options in Schenectady.  “Lose ten pounds and do.  Just do it,” he said.   

Kaiser spent much of the day at Schenectady High School meeting with students and staff.  “I was impressed with the energy and variety of program here,” he said.  “I wasn’t expecting that.  It seems you have control of this thing.”  He also noted that students who needed help were getting help.  “You guys get a bad rap, but you are doing a good job,” he said. 

 John Harrison spent time in the district and met with parents and community members on March 22.  Helen Anne Livingston is in Schenectady today.  Parents and community members are invited to meet her tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Mont Pleasant Middle School Room 128. 

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