SFASD Names New Director of Curriculum and Instruction

The following was submitted by Phil Ellingsworth Jr., representing the Spring-Ford Area School District, featuring contributions by Editor Kevin Haslam:

ROYERSFORD - The Spring-Ford Area School Board appointed Dr. Keith E. Floyd as the district's next director of curriculum and instruction during the Feb. 27 board meeting

Dr. Floyd's employment becomes effective March 13. Dr. Floyd's salary will be set at $112,500 annually with benefits, as per the Act 93 Plan.

Currently, the assistant superintendent for elementary education for the Warwick School District in Lititz, Pa., Dr. Floyd was hired for his focus on curriculum and student development. In his current role, Dr. Floyd is responsible for overseeing all curriculum, instruction and assessment issues for a professional staff of 300 employees and 2,300 elementary students; providing leadership in all curricular areas; and establishing and overseeing budgetary processes at the district level.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Floyd served as the director of curriculum, instruction and assessment for the Warwick School District since 2006. In his nearly 22 years of experience as an educator and administrator, Dr. Floyd served as an intermediate level principal for the Lampeter-Strasburg School District; elementary principal and middle school assistant principal for the Cornwall-Lebanon School District; and acting elementary principal for the Elizabethtown Area School District.

Dr. Floyd received his doctorate in educational leadership from Immaculata University, his master's in educational administration from Temple University and bachelor's degree in music education from Millersville University.

"The Spring-Ford Area School District has a long history of academic excellence, and an unprecedented level of commitment to the students and families of the community," Dr. Floyd said. "I am honored to be joining the Spring-Ford family, and look forward to sharing my experiences and insights for the betterment of the students and families of the school district."

"Dr. Floyd has a tremendous amount of experience that he brings to the District working with students and staff on their specific educational and curricular needs," School Board President Thomas DiBello said. "His insight and contributions will continue Spring-Ford's goal of creating great schools where our students can grow."

Superintendent David Goodin gave a status report at the meeting where he introduced Floyd, who replaces Johnna Weller. Weller is in the Boyertown School District.

He also mentioned the Administrators with Class program as being a continuing success in the district. Administrators with Class is designed to put the school's board members and administrators back in the classroom to see the broad range of activities and programs being presented to area students, and to interact with them as peers.

"I left the experience feeling invigorated and full of energy, much like I did when I did this in the first marking period," said a report from an anonymous participant, which Goodin read aloud at the meeting. "I can greet more students by name, not because I meet with them one-on-one for discipline, but because I experienced a positive classroom experience with them."

Goodin also reported he has been having ongoing meetings with the support staffs at the schools, which includes cafeteria, custodial, nurses and class aid staffs. He said he just conducted the third meeting with them and is gaining insight to the areas of concern in the district.

There is a continued effort on the part of Goodin and Assistant Superintendent Allyn Roche to collect and consider suggestions from the suggestion boxes that were placed in the faculty rooms of the schools for teachers. Goodin reported the suggestions so far have been insightful and helpful in committing to school operations.

Finally, Goodin wished to remind the board that each secondary building has a Student Assistance Program [SAP] that is designed to educate students on prevention of at-risk behaviors that may impact their success at school. SAP is comprised of staff and administrators who have been trained and certified in the model.

Students, teachers and parents are able to submit a form to make a referral for a student who may need the program. The process is completely anonymous. Goodin reported the district is working with board members and local businesses to design an online program that will allow concerned friends, parents and teachers to submit the form and find additional resources on the web - another way of making things easier for a society that has grown in technology. Goodin said there will be more information on this program in March.