Honor Dr. Klatt's Retirement

Assembly Resolution No. 1296 BY: M. of A. Norris COMMENDING Dr. Roger J. Klatt upon the occasion of his retirement after 18 years of dedicated service to the Barker Central School District WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr. Roger J. Klatt upon the occasion of his retirement after 18 years of dedicated service to the Barker Central School District of Barker, New York; and WHEREAS, For 30 years, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has served as an educator; he began his long and distinguished career as a both a teacher and coach for the Albion Central School District; throughout his tenure, he coached three varsity sports and worked as a physical education, 6th grade and an alternative education teacher; and WHEREAS, After 15 years with the Albion Central School District, Dr. Roger J. Klatt joined the Barker Central School District as the Middle School Principal, a position he held for three years; from 2003-2006, he held the title of Director of Instructional Services, and then Assistant Superintendent for the next year; for the past 11 years, he has served as Superintendent of Schools, the position from which he will officially retire in 2018; and WHEREAS, In addition to his role at Barker Central School District, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has been the shared Superintendent with Royalton-Hartland School District since 2013; this past year, the students' performance results and graduation rates increased; and WHEREAS, In this capacity, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has served as the Orleans-Niagara BOCES representative to the House of Delegates, the New York State Education Commissioner's Advisory Council and the Middle Level Liaison to SED; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Dr. Roger J. Klatt, the Barker Central School District is currently ranked No. 2 out of 429 schools in the category of Achievement index (socioeconomic status and achievement results); the District is also ranked No. 17 out of 98 schools in Western New York, and earned a Silver Medal rating by US News and World Report; and WHEREAS, Dr. Roger J. Klatt also implemented an online blended learning college course to both districts as well as an international exchange program; and WHEREAS, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has made numerous presentations at various conferences including the New York State School Boards Association Conference, the New York State Rural Schools Association Conference, and the UCEA Conference; and WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Roger J. Klatt published an article entitled "Young Superintendents with School-Age Children: Gendered Expectations, Effectiveness, and Life Quality in Rural Communities" for the Journal of School Leadership, and his dissertation findings were highlighted in the School Administrator; he was also a contributing author of Snapshot 2012: The 8th Triennial Study of the Superintendency in New York State; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his students and the entire community of Barker Central School District, Dr. Roger J. Klatt was named the 2014 Educational Leader of the Year by Niagara University, the 2010 Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction, and the

1995 Educator of the Year by the Albion Central School District; and WHEREAS, Throughout his outstanding career as an educator, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has truly strived to develop learning environments in which all students can thrive; he has coupled high expectations with rich opportunities, making innovation, improvement, and success for all children a public school reality; and WHEREAS, Dr. Roger J. Klatt's loyalty to the district and to his staff is truly admirable; all who have had the privilege to work with him through the years have known him to be an honest and hard-working administrator who always made the needs and concerns of his students his top priority; and WHEREAS, The driving force behind Dr. Roger J. Klatt's commitment to public education is his belief that all children have the potential to do great things if given the opportunity; he prides himself on creating an educational environment where students come first and expectations are high; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Dr. Roger J. Klatt upon the occasion of his retirement after 18 years of dedicated service to the Barker Central School District, and to wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Roger J. Klatt.