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Apologies to Alice Cooper, but for Niagara Falls School Superintendent Mark Laurrie school’s out for ever.
No more pencils. No more books. No more teachers dirty looks.
After 42 years, the affable leader is walking away. He fiddled with a canister of pickleballs as he chatted with the Express last week about what’s next, what’s past and his hopes for the future of his beloved district.
He sat at his desk flipping that canister, his open office door decorated with well wishes, a box of books nearby, ready to go while his school-related bookshelf remains mostly full with a Genco Olive Oil coffee cup proudly displayed. The answers here are sometimes direct quotes but mostly paraphrased. The way this “In Depth” series works, the idea is to offer the unfiltered perspective of the subject because what they have to say is way more important than Joe Genco’s opinion.
What led you to decide it was time to retire?
We all put our time in. We do the best we can. I believe in term limits and that we all have a shelf life and should never take our health for granted. It is time for new, fresh ideas. I am only going to change so much. The art of the exit is a very difficult time
What is next?
- I need to find better balance.
- I want to explore things I have never done. Learn to play pickle ball. Experience different places.
- I can be spontaneous. For 42 years I lived on the bell schedule. Weather. Is there a problem with buses?
- I want to go to see a Yankees game and decide to stay one more day and see another one. I might try golf again or ride a bike.
It controls your whole life. As superintendent you are more than just an educator. You are on 24/7.
42 years is a long time. What has not changed?
Coming home and making sure the kids got home safe.
It is a people, business. Relate to people. Interact. Take care of people. Be interested. Express empathy. Care. Those things never changed.
“Technology is evolving faster than you on your bike.”
Explain to me the board requiring a candidate to be a resident before applying for Superintendent.
That was misinterpreted. The board did the right thing by looking internally. If you have the right candidates internally with institutional knowledge that’s where to start. If they didn’t feel comfortable they would look outside.
How does the residency requirement impact the applicant pool and is it worth it?
“I don’t think it does. We need young teachers. Good, solid young teachers. They need seasoning.” Science and foreign language teachers are finding more lucrative careers in other industries. The problem is finding qualified candidates.
Looking back at your career, what systemic challenges within the school district most consistently hindered student achievement? What changes are most urgent for the new superintendent?
You really get a look at the real world, diversity, the high, low and apathetic. There are great opportunities from the trades to a chance to earn 64 college credits without a parent paying a cent.
The biggest problem is attendance, getting kids to school on time is the biggest challenge and determines if they will score well or not score well. 14% of our students are not graduating this year and that directly relates to attendance. When kids come to school, they will succeed but sometimes some families see a lack of hope.
How would you persuade a family considering a move to Niagara Falls that your school district is a good place for their child?
"Come and take a walk with me during the middle of a day between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Put yourself there and feel it. It is a place you want to come. There are no words to describe it.”
What do you think about Business First consistently ranking your district among the worst in the region? Is that fair?
“Our problem is we are our own worst enemy. We fight internally we and we can be too critical. But criticize us from outside and we lock arms.”
Has there been an incident where community input resulted in changed policy?
It was early in his time when the only sex ed curriculum was abstinence only. Changing that curriculum was a challenge because 20% of parents thought it was inappropriate. To this day, parents retain the right to opt out their child. At the time, Niagara Falls had the highest STD and pregnancy rate in the county.
How can the district effectively address proficiency standards for reading and math?
Scores on reading and math progress monitoring reports don’t always reflect that a student can’t read. Laurrie mentioned his daughter, now a successful headhunter, testing poorly and today is successful in business.
“We need to continue to refine our pedagogy. There is a direct correlation to attendance. It is about attendance. It is about ensuring the kids are in school all day.”
Talk to me about diversity in the student population.
It’s not about race but poverty and socioeconomics. Our community is filled with large-hearted people but we have a tendency to lower expectations. “It is counterintuitive but we have to raise these expectations not lower to look at a student and say pick yourself up.”
I’ve heard people say the school district is like the new mafia because it’s where the good jobs are and you have to know someone to get hired. How do you answer them?
It took me 32 years to become superintendent. “I was in 4 different buildings. I couldn’t hold a job. I kept moving schools. I loved being principal.” Bring me one qualified person who has applied for work in our district as a teacher, a certified teacher who can pass a background check. When you can do that, come talk to me.
What are the top 3 issues Stan Wojton will face as the new superintendent?
- Declining enrollment.
- The unpredictable nature of foundational aid from the State.
- The creeping influence of artificial intelligence everywhere.
How is Say Yes coming?
It is growing by the day. We hope to offer partial scholarships next year. The endowment is up to $3 million. We just received another $250,000. Our Saturday academies this year had 2315 students attend. One third of the district participated.
Say Yes started in Syracuse and then came to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. The goal is to offer last-dollar tuition to every Niagara Falls graduate.
