Dear Parents, Guardians, Caregivers, Educators, and Community Members,

I hope you all had a restful holiday season and wish you the best for the new year ahead. The purpose of this communication is to introduce myself to the Potsdam community. I am honored to serve as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Potsdam Central School District. I am committed to ensuring that every student in our community has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life.

My wife and I both attended SUNY Potsdam and have fond memories of this community. After college, I spent the first twelve years of my career in North Carolina as a teacher, elementary principal, and high school principal before moving back to Malone. Our son had just turned four at the time, and we wanted him to have the chance to be around his grandparents. I became the high school principal at Franklin Academy in Malone and have been the superintendent for the past ten years. My wife, Laura, is a teacher at Salmon River Central School District and also teaches classes in the education department at SUNY Potsdam. Our son is now in his second year at Champlain College in Burlington, VT. At times I still see him as that little boy who used to run around my office. Watching him grow up makes me strive to consider each decision at school through the eyes of a parent and what they would want for their children.   

I’m from the north country, being the youngest of six children in Brushton, NY. My father worked at Alcoa for forty-two years, and my mother was a homemaker. Growing up, we didn’t have much, but our house was filled with love and laughter. I realize that not all children are lucky enough to grow up in such a household, which makes it all the more important for schools to be socially and emotionally safe places for learning.  

Many of the core values at Potsdam CSD align with my philosophy of what education should look like for our students. Philosophies should continue to evolve, but at my core, we should provide a safe, engaging learning environment filled with stakeholders striving to make informed decisions.  

Our family will be relocating from Malone to our new home in Potsdam in the coming months. This will make it much easier for me to immerse myself in every facet of our community. In the coming weeks and months, I will reach out to parents, staff, and community members to learn more about your ideas and concerns and discuss how we can work together to support student learning and achievement. I understand that the role of a superintendent is not just about leading the district but also about building strong relationships with the families and communities we serve. I am excited to be a part of this community and to work with all of you to make our schools the best they can be.

Sincerely,

Jerry Griffin

Superintendent of Schools