MIKE McCORMICK
Staff Writer
Two area schools have new superintendents as the 2022-2023 school year begins this week with one of those taking the helm for his first time.
Scott Baade is starting his first year as Chandler School superintendent after being hired earlier this year to take over for retiring school chief Melody Toma.
He officially began his duties on July 1.
Will Jones, who was hired in March to replace Ky Wilkins who retired as school superintendent at Dale June 30, also started his duties on July 1.
Jones spent six years as Garber school superintendent and was high school principal and assistant superintendent for a year there as well.
Both superintendents expressed excitement about their new jobs and the new school term.
Baade, who spent 10 years at Stroud before taking the Chandler superintendent’s position, said, “I.m just looking forward to the new school year. I hope things get back to normal like they were before Covid.”
Jones echoed Baade’s enthusiasm. “I’m excited. It’s going to be a great school year.” He noted, “2020 and 2021 were such different years. I’m excited our kids get to experience a more normal school year.”
Baade mentioned, “We’ve been doing some things like painting, safety film and protective coding on our school entrances are coming soon. We’re completing projects to get ready.”
Baade also commented, “I’m learning to matriculate doing different things. It will take two or three months to see and get use to things here,” adding, “Every school is diferent.”
Both Jones and Baade are coming from smaller school districts to larger ones. Jones said Garber is about 430 students and is a Class A school. Dale is a Class 2A school and nearly 800 students.
Baade said Stroud had around 580 students or more and Chandler’s enrollment on Monday numbered 1,108.
Baade stressed, as a new superintendent, “This is a different learning process. We have a great Central Office staff who have made the transition much easier.
“I look forward to getting out in the community and learning more about it. I knew most of the principals before I came here,” he added.
Jones pointed out, “I’d always been at larger schools like Enid and Bartlesville before going to Garber and coming here to Dale. I love the school pride and the community values that smaller schools ofer.”
He continued, “They are both good schools. They have similar values. Dale has such a great tradition in academics, athletics and band.
“I’m learning some of the history of the academics, athletics and band. It’s mind boggling. Anytime you arrive at a school with 40 state championships and top notch academics too, you have arrived at a great place,” Jones believes.
Baade pointed out, “Everybody has been really nice. I enjoy the folks. I look forward to working with them throughout this year.”
He said he’s spoken at the Rotary and Lions Clubs, has met with the Retired Teachers and several groups.
Dale schools opened on Wednesday. “My expectations,” Jones said, “Is for our kids to start experiencing things pre-Covid, before the Spring of 2020. They’ll be some bumps along the road, but I want them to experience a normal year as possible.”
Chandler schools open today. There was an Open House on Tuesday evening, something that Baade said hasn’t been possible due to Covid.
“I feel privileged to be here and look forward to a great year,” he finished.