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Overcast 5 questions for James Scannell
James Scannell, a product of the Baldwin school system, has taken over a district in flux. The Herald asked the new superintendent about what the job means to him, and about the biggest challenges Baldwin schools will face going forward.
Herald: What does it mean to you personally to be heading up the Baldwin school system? As a product of Baldwin schools, did you ever see yourself in this position when you were a student?
Scannell: From my early days in Boy Scouts in town, I always enjoyed teaching, especially as I progressed into leadership roles to help the younger members of the troop learn the skills necessary to earn merit badges. However, I didn’t recognize this as an expression of my future career until I was in college studying forestry, and came to realize that my interest in it was rooted in my desire to teach people about the environment and natural world. I then continued my studies in earth science education.
I take great pride in having been given the opportunity to be the superintendent in the school district and town that I feel so invested in. I received a great education in the Baldwin schools and remember my time in school very fondly. Many of the teachers that I had while attending school here were tremendously influential, and I’m very gratified to serve the town in this new capacity.
H: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Baldwin schools this year and in upcoming years?
S: I think that our biggest challenges will be continuing to adapt to, and implement, the new Common Core Standards, while also helping our students adjust to the new assessments. In addition, it will continue to be a challenge to build a budget that supports the programs that make Baldwin so special while keeping within the limits of the tax levy cap and the cumulative loss of state aid.
