Date: Fri 29-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

superintendent-Ritchie

Full Text:

Sandy Hook's James Ritchie Is Doing A Super Job

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

Talking with James Ritchie, a Sandy Hook resident since 1975 and

Superintendent of the Plainville Public School System since 1984, it's easy to

see why he was chosen Connecticut's Superintendent Of The Year by the

Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS).

Dr Ritchie projects exactly the kind of quiet confidence that is needed to

reassure parents, guide school board members and inspire trust in community

residents who don't want to spend extra tax dollars on education unless

they're convinced the school administrators know what they are doing.

Most of all, Dr Ritchie is a leader among his peers and an advocate for his

profession - believing as he does in the role a dedicated superintendent can

play in the school system and community.

"There are some good people out there who know what they're doing," Dr Ritchie

said.

His fellow superintendents, who recently named him this year's CAPSS state

winner, recognize Dr Ritchie's abilities.

"As schools become more diverse and complex, mirroring society, each

superintendent takes on greater, even more challenging responsibilities," said

CAPSS President Rene J.Racette, superintendent of schools in New London.

In her comments to the press, Dr Racette mentioned that a superintendent must

not only be a master communicator, but a "visionary leader" who is a

"passionate believer" in public education.

There is no doubt that Dr Ritchie is a believer, since he has spent the better

part of his career in school and university classrooms - as both teacher and

learner.

"Anytime I've wanted to do something in life, I've gone to school, I've

learned how, and I've done well," Dr Ritchie said, adding he is convinced that

attitude can work for any young person today who is willing to focus his or

her energies.

"Work the system and find the educational opportunities that are out there,"

Dr Ritchie said.

Born in New York City 59 years ago, he moved to Stratford when he was in the

seventh grade, grew up in that town and then earned his undergraduate degree

attending Connecticut's state university system.

After four years in the Navy, Dr Ritchie "jumped right back into the

classroom" as a math teacher. He subsequently pursued a masters of educational

administration.

He and his wife, Theresa, who is the library media specialist at Danbury High

School, live with their two dogs on High Rock Road in Sandy Hook. His previous

job before becoming superintendent of the Plainville schools, was as director

of finance and administration and assistant high school principal at Amity

Regional School District No. 5.

He has been superintendent of the Plainville schools for 12 years now - long

enough, he said, to find satisfaction in the job, as well as continued

challenges.

Demographically, Plainville might be termed a "poorer" town than Newtown.

Its industrial base consists of several small manufacturing companies and

there is a "major G.E. presence," with Pratt-Whitney and Stanley nearby, he

said.

Dr Ritchie hastened to add, however, that the average income levels and job

descriptions of Plainville's working class residents "don't paint the whole

picture."

"Those families are very supportive of their children. They work hard to

provide for them and to support their schools," he said.

He then cited the systemwide adoption of a sophisticated technology package as

one example of the Plainsville townspeople taking a leap of faith on behalf of

their children's future.

"A lot of time and energy was spent helping people understand why we had to

spend the money," Dr Ritchie said.

This ability to see what needs to be done in the schools, and then convince

the voters to support the effort, would seem to be a large part of Dr

Ritchie's success.

During his superintendency, a new middle school was built and renovations were

completed for two elementary schools.

He is most proud, however, of an intangible accomplishment, which he calls

"raising the level of expectation for student achievement."

"Most people don't respect the tremendous amount that kids can do and be. It

takes a change in culture," he said.

One way he's managed to feel comfortable and remain "on the same wave length"

with town residents has been through his own extensive community involvement

in several Plainville organizations, such as Rotary Club and the Plainville

Chamber of Commerce.

Obviously, he is not daunted by making the 45-minute commute twice a day

between Newtown and Plainville, which is located off I-84 between Farmington,

Southington and New Britain.

"You can't be a part-time person in a community, especially if you don't live

there," he said.

A person having the responsibilities of a school superintendent "must

understand what the community is all about. What they aspire to. It seeps into

you by osmosis," Dr Ritchie said.

As for being named the Connecticut's top superintendent, Dr Ritchie said he

didn't really seek the honor, but his "staff insisted on filling out the

packets."

"It's much more than I ever dreamed I of, to represent the state," he said,

adding he'd do his best competing against the other 49 superintendents at the

national level.

"I suppose now we'll duke it out in a big room," he joked.

You can tell, though, talking with Dr Ritchie, that he takes the honor very

seriously. He understands what leadership in education is all about.