Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Nov/Dec 2017 | Page 20

Dr. Andrew Houlihan reflects on his first year as Superintendent of UCPS
Last summer, when Dr. Andrew
Employee of the Month and Team UCPS
and/or careers after graduating, the new
Houlihan was named superintendent of
awards, implemented a district-wide focus
budget process and stronger partnerships
Union County Public Schools, one of the
on literacy that was bolstered by the widely with community organizations and
first things he did was drive around Union
successful Books & Brackets competition,
businesses.
County.
and created an improvement plan for the
But, he added, every single
At the time, he knew that Union
accomplishment, initiative and
County Public Schools (UCPS) was
success that the school district has
a high-performing school district –
experienced during the past year
one of the highest-performing school
all comes back to one theme: his
districts in the state – but he wanted
mission to ensure equity for every
to know more about what residents
single student across the entire
thought about their local school
county.
system. So he stopped at a couple of
“Depending on what part of the
local businesses around the county
county you lived in, that affected
and talked to community members.
the perception of the quality and
He was immediately struck by
quantity of resources that you have,”
the unique spirit of the county and
he said. “So that was an immediate
the close-knit culture of teamwork
goal of mine – to find funding and
and family among school district
ensure that no matter your zip
employees.
code, you will have the same level
Sitting in his office one year later,
of quality and quantity of resources.
Dr. Andrew Houlihan said one thing
Getting resources to schools was a
that remained consistent throughout
big deal and I’m really proud of that
his first year on the job was his initial
effort.”
assertion of the county and school
As traditional schools get ready
district.
for classes to begin in just a few
“When you’re the sixth largest
days, Dr. Houlihan said his second
school system in the state and yet
year on the job will be a lot different
you have a culture that embraces the
from the first. Adding that there
ability to help each other - you just
are no excuses for a lack of results,
don’t find that in a lot of places,” he
Dr. Houlihan said he and his team
said. “On a personal level, everyone
are continuing to work tirelessly to
has really embraced my family and
ensure that UCPS is one of the best
me. It’s a great place to work and a
school district’s in the nation.
great place to live.”
“We’ve accomplished the ideas.
It’s that same spirit of teamwork
We’ve capitalized on them – now
and passion that educators and
it’s about implementation,” he said.
administrators have for students that
“That’s what year two is going to be
led the school district to experience
about – monitoring implementation
a string of successes under Dr.
and making sure that where we put
Houlihan’s leadership during the past
our resources are where we are
year.
getting return on investment.”
Top: Any accomplishment during the past year is because
However, Dr. Houlihan is
Reflecting on the past year, Dr.
of the UCPS team, Dr. Houlihan said, who have the
careful not to attribute any of
Houlihan
said that if there’s one thing
passion for ensuring the success of the tens of thousands
the school district’s successes or
that
he
wants
people to know, it’s that
of students who walk through the doors of the school
accomplishments to himself. Any
he
is
extremely
proud of the teachers,
district’s 53 schools every day.
accomplishment during the past year
school leaders and support staff.
is because of the UCPS team, he said, who school district’s six low-performing schools.
“The success of a school system is not
have the passion for ensuring the success
But when asked what he felt was
about the superintendent; it all comes
the school district’s most significant
of the tens of thousands of students who
down to what goes on in our classrooms,”
walk through the doors of the school
accomplishment during the past year,
he said. “We have the best schools in the
district’s 53 schools every day.
Dr. Houlihan insists he can’t think of
state. I’m proud to be a part of this team
just one. Instead, he rattles off a list of
In less than one year, Dr. Houlihan said
and look forward to accomplishing great
he and his team have created a health
initiatives and efforts that he’s proud of:
things with our team this year.”
the leadership and support of the Board of
sciences academy at Monroe Middle, made
—This article was provided by the Union
significant strides to help boost employee
Education, the renewed focus on ensuring
County Public Schools Communications
morale thanks to the newly implemented
that all students are ready for both college
Office.
18 • Nov/Dec 2017 • Parent Teacher Magazine