December 3, 2001
For Immediate Release
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt.1301 Educators and administrators in schools across New York State are busy preparing for Leadership Counts! Day, including activities aimed at bringing attention to the unique and vital role of educational leaders, inspiring teachers to consider leadership roles, and demonstrating the professional virtues of educational leadership to staff and the community. The statewide activity is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 6.

One such activity, job shadowing, pairs selected teachers with district administrators for a shadowing day experience. Teachers will be given the opportunity to role-play in a number of situations, as well as handle a variety of the administrator’s day-to-day tasks. Other activities include meeting with current and potential administration interns, as well as business, community, and parent groups to gather input.

The regional Joint Management Team (JMT) of district superintendents from the four-county regional BOCES, along with members of the Mid-Hudson Leadership Academy, are encouraging all schools in the region to participate in the effort, which was developed and supported by the State Education Department as a tool to help recruit new school leaders.

Commissioner of Education Richard Mills has made meeting the challenge of discovering and recruiting new administrators a priority of the State Education Department. A survey conducted in the year 2000 suggests that nearly 30% of New York school superintendents expect to retire by the year 2003, and more than 50% by 2005. Without action, a severe shortage of capable school leaders in New York State could result.

For further information about the Leadership Counts! Day activities, contact Jeff Hanna at the Mid-Hudson Leadership Academy at 845-255-1402. The JMT can also provide information about local initiatives. Members are Martin Ruglis of Ulster BOCES, John Pennoyer of Dutchess BOCES, Martin Handler of Sullivan BOCES, and Don McKenzie (interim superintendent) of Orange-Ulster BOCES. A PowerPoint presentation containing in-depth information about Leadership Counts! Day and the broader Project Leadership effort can be viewed at