Evaluations

The Assistant Superintendent effectively engages all stakeholders in the district's shared vision of career and college readiness, which is outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and PA Future Ready Index. The Assistant Superintendent's belief is that career and college readiness begins in the elementary school, is a partnership with families and community, and concludes upon completion of High School whereby every student is prepared to succeed in postsecondary career or study. His drive to provide sundry opportunities for all students is evident in the continued support of programming, professional development, and resources allocation for the literacy, math, career awareness and preparation, and social/emotional learning for all students. This year, Dr. Starnes was involved in multiple community meetings where the focus was on building capacity to enhance CTE programs through community partnerships and building a CTC.

Dr. Starnes works with district administrators to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum, instruction and assessment. Discussions in administrative meetings and curriculum team meetings center on the desired school/system culture and review of evidence/data about how it is being implemented/achieved. Dr. Starnes oversees the evaluation of staff and ongoing coaching for improvement through the administration of PAETEP. The assistant superintendent is highly visible and engaged in the classrooms, schools and student activities through ongoing classroom observations and visits.

The Assistant Superintendent works effectively with the Superintendent and the Board to monitor and create District policy, and demonstrates appropriate school governance for all students, faculty, staff, and community. The Assistant Superintendent continually looks to build effective lines of communication with the community. As a continued practice, the Assistant Superintendent meets with groups of students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners to plan for and to write various grants, to continue the implementation of the comprehensive plan, to plan for and implement school improvement initiatives, to appropriately staff the district, and to develop budgets that are sensitive to the needs and to the resources in the district. Dr. Starnes works with district administration, faculty, staff, and association leadership to update and develop Board policy that is legally sound and meets the needs of the District’s stakeholders.

The Assistant Superintendent supervises the recruitment and placement of qualified applicants for all positions and ensures that principals and supervisors conduct annual performance appraisals on employees under their supervision. He also oversees the maintenance of certificates and licenses of all professional and administrative staff. In completing these critical functions, the Assistant Superintendent manages the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) for the District. Through the use of TIMS, professional documentation is streamlined with PDE. The Assistant Superintendent, in concert with the Curriculum Director and Act 48 Chair, oversees the professional development plan (MyLearningPlan) for the District, ensuring that teachers are given opportunities to better meet the needs of students in the district, while completing the required Act 48 hours. In addition, the Assistant Superintendent has coordinated with various district leaders, the vast array of fiscal, programmatic, and compliance monitoring incumbent upon the district. The assistant superintendent has continued to lead the development, implementation, reporting/accountability efforts associated with grant funding including the ESSER funds, PCCD safe school and mental health funds, as well as non-Title related federal funds. Federal and state funding monitoring and auditing reflect appropriate use and fiscal transparency of these grant funds.

The Assistant Superintendent has worked extensively with family outreach programs for the students and parents of the Wallenpaupack Area School District. The programs have expanded to include all K-12 students. He has collaborated with the local partners to recruit families, secure funding, and offers ongoing support for these important programs. The Assistant Superintendent continually engages in dialogue with parents, outside agencies, business and community partners to enhance understanding of district initiatives, community priorities, and promote positive school-community relations. In addition, the Assistant Superintendent works collaboratively with local economic development, workforce, and philanthropy agencies and organizations. This work has resulted in numerous grant opportunities to fund programs, created networks of opportunity for students and teachers, and strengthened

school/community relations. Dr. Starnes has engaged in multiple meetings and phone conversations with community members to discuss board policy and the implementation of the District's academic and social programs.

Dr. Starnes models values, beliefs and attitudes that inspire others to higher levels of performance through stakeholder meetings where listening to the needs and perceptions of students, parents, and community members are focused. The assistant superintendent fosters and maintains supportive professional relationships with staff through communications with faculty, staff, and their associations. Dr. Starnes demonstrates appreciation for and sensitivity to diversity within the school community by collecting, reviewing, and analyzing various data sets that help the district understand the experiences of all stakeholders and to plan for improvements in those experiences. Dr. Starnes welcomes divergent opinions and different points of view within the boundaries of the values and mission of the organization. He consistently acts in accordance with the letter and spirit of the law.

The Assistant Superintendent advocates for all students in WASD by increasing the opportunities of students to learn and explore their passions in the school setting, through community-based learning opportunities, and through extracurricular/cocurricular activities. The Assistant Superintendent has committed himself to creating an environment in our district that is welcoming and inclusive for all students. Partnerships with community resources like the Wayne County Community Foundation, Wayne/Pike Workforce Alliance, The Greater Scranton Area Dr. Martin Luther King Commission, PROSPER, East Stroudsburg University, Marywood University, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, and numerous other organizations and agencies. Dr. Starnes has worked with District administration in developing opportunities to showcase various programs to the community. These have resulted in a better understanding of the district’s programs in the community and have garnered more community partnerships in support of the district’s mission.

The Assistant Superintendent is a member of the District Act 48 (Professional Development) Committee and works with district and building administrators, and the professional and support staff associations to provide professional development opportunities for all professional, support, and administrative employees. He continues to support the community through extensive involvement in the Wayne County Community Foundation serving as the organization's Board Chair, a board member of the Wayne/Pike Workforce Alliance, a member of the PIAA State Steering Committee for Wrestling, PIAA District 2 Committee Member, and a member of the Hawley Library Board. The Assistant Superintendent has continued administrative professional growth through administrative book study groups which discuss various topics of leadership, school governance, supportive and equitable communities, and motivational theory. The goal of the study group is to ensure that all our buildings and programs are viewed through an equity lens, that all students and families in the district feel a sense of belonging, and that all voices are heard.

The Assistant Superintendent has developed, in collaboration with the Board of School Directors, yearly objective performance standards. The Assistant Superintendent has met the Objective Performance Standards for the 2024-2025 school year.