New Superintendent Stresses Communication and Leadership Teams in Interview

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. by: John Gerow (RVO) – Just a couple of weeks into the position, Redbank Valley School District Superintendent Dr. John Mastillo took time out a busy work Monday to share some of his thoughts with RedbankValley.org. The themes of “communication”, and “leadership” seem to be the focus of Dr. Mastillo’s approach to his new position. Dr. Mastillo sees his primary role as Superintendent to be that of a communications facilitator – helping to ensure that students, staff, faculty, administrators, parents, and community members are able and comfortable communicating with, and within, the school district.

Dr. Mastillo told RVO that he sees “communication” as a continuous “two-way” flow of information and ideas. This model of communication is represented as a cycle. Someone sends a message, someone else receives the message, and that someone else replies to the message. Without the response, without the 2 – way flow, there really is not “communication”’ there are merely messages being broadcast. Without the feedback, without the response, there is no way to know whether or not anyone received the message, or if the message accomplished anything. Improving the communication environment will go a long way toward resolving most of the issues facing the Redbank Valley School District.

While there is a long history of problems and complaints being taken directly to the School Board in this district, Dr. Mastillo says that almost all concerns and issues should be directed to teachers or principals, or to him – and be resolved – without the involvement of the members of the School Board. He said that classroom issues should be directed to the teacher. If the parent feels that the teacher did not resolve the issue, then the parent should speak with the building principal. If the parent still feels unfulfilled, they should speak with Dr. Mastillo. There should be very few, if any, issues that cannot be resolved by one of these three positions. In order, however, for this to work, Dr. Mastillo says that parents and other community members need to be aware that this is the proper way to bring concerns, and that those concerns should be addressed, even if there is not a change that satisfies the parent. Dr. Mastillo said, “Up front communication is critical and it is my responsibility to keep the community informed about what is really happening in the schools.”

Dr. Mastillo breaks down his Leadership concept into building “internal” and “external” leadership teams. The “internal” leadership teams will consist of building administrators, cafeteria management, and facilities management. He sees the building principals as “district” principals, not as “elementary” or “high school” principals. The experience, insights, and knowledge that each principal has, should not be limited to one building. Good ideas and insights should flow throughout the district, he says. His leadership team will utilize the strengths of every member across the whole district. His leadership team will utilize the strengths of every member across the whole district. The internal leadership team will also have the development of leadership skills of its members as part of its mission.

In his model, Dr. Mastillo sees the “external” leadership team as growing organically from concerned “stakeholders” in the community. His idea is that this team, while more informal than the internal team, will dialog with the district administration. Dr. Mastillo will be responsible for disseminating information into the community, which will then return ideas, thoughts, and reactions to the district. This extended communication into the community is critical for developing a community supported, collaborative, school district, he said. According to Dr. Mastillo, “9/10 of reality is perception.” And until parents and community members perceive that they are essential to the school district and actively involved, they will not be. We want all stakeholders to understand our future goals so that we all can work collaboratively toward them.”

When asked about the positive assets of the district, Dr. Mastillo said that the buildings and campuses, the faculty and staff, and the supportive nature of the community are all strengths that are important to the future of the district. He told RVO, “We will weave all of these strengths into a future for our district and our community.” It is his hope, he said, that the school district can help children retain the creativity and excitement that most kids have in first and second grades. He said that educators should be encouraged to develop opportunities for teachers and students to take risks in learning to help cultivate that excitement and creativity. Dr. Mastillo said that he wants to see teachers and students become excited about the classroom and enjoy the process of teaching and learning.

An often heard complaint from teachers is that they are being forced to “teach to the test”, referring to the standardized tests required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Dr. Mastillo said that there are ways of teaching to the test that do not have to be limiting or hard structured. He said that there is a difference between going over previous years standard tests and drilling for the answers and designing curriculums to cover the knowledge required to pass the tests. “Teaching to the test” does not have to be a limiting, stifling method, but should be a real guide to curriculum mapping. The key, he says, is to know at what grade concepts should be  introduced and by what grade those concepts should be mastered. With mastering the content as the goal, good test grades will naturally follow.

There is much conversation and discussion focusing on special needs children, but not so much on gifted and high achieving students. Dr. Mastillo questions why public education needs to be so rigidly structured. He says that there are ways to integrate additional course offerings into the curriculum for those gifted, high achievers to keep them challenged and interested. He points out that in the Black Lick Valley district, there were students who earned their Associates Degree from local community colleges weeks before they received their high school diploma. He says that these are the kinds of ideas that can provide the additional incentive and challenge for those students who need them.

RVO posed a final question to the Superintendent: “Do you think that you can help the Board to improve their spending?” His simple answer was, “Yes.” Dr. Mastillo went on to explain that he is in the process of doing a line-item analysis of recent district spendings so that he will be able to help the Board cut spending without affecting the quality of education.

RedbankValley.org appreciates that Dr. Mastillo took time to visit with us. Our schools are an important part of our Redbank Valley community and we wish Dr. Mastillo well as he embarks on his work here.

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ABOUT:
Redbank Valley School District provides education services for the 165 square mile area of New Bethlehem and Hawthorn boroughs, and the townships of Mahoning, Madison, Porter, and Redbank of both Clarion and Armstrong counties.

MEETINGS:
The Redbank Valley School Board meetings the first Monday of every month at 7pm at the High School Library.

CONTACT:
For more information about the Redbank Valley School District, please call 814.275.2426 or visit RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/redbank-valley-school-district