http://www.observer-reporter.com/330073471628483.bsp
Sunday, November 25, 2001
His educational philosophy boils
down to a simple concept.
"We're here for the kids," said Dr.
William Pope, Upper St. Clair School District superintendent. "That's what
it's all about. I keep harping on that day after day after day."
Throughout his nearly three decades
with the district, the past 12 as superintendent, Pope has succeeded in
spreading that philosophy among faculty, staff and administrators, with
the result that Upper St. Clair is generally recognized as one of the area's
pre-eminent school districts.
Now, he is getting some widespread
recognition for his efforts.
This week, the state Association
of School Administrators announced Pope has been named Pennsylvania superintendent
of the year for 2002. He now is eligible for consideration as the American
Association of School Administrators' national superintendent of the year,
to be announced in San Diego in February.
In his nominating form for the state
award, Pope could point to accomplishments such as seeing each of his district's
six schools presented the National Blue Ribbon Award by the U.S. Department
of Education.
Eisenhower Elementary School is the
latest to earn the distinction, with the receipt of the award celebrated
last week. And Fort Couch Middle School is eligible for receiving another
ribbon next year.
"It made one of the best 17 or 18,"
Pope said. "We're waiting for federal recognition."
A Brentwood native and Washington
& Jefferson College graduate, Pope started in Upper St. Clair as an
administrator in 1972. He was appointed superintendent in 1989 and is under
contract through 2003.
Four years into his tenure, Pope
received some life-changing news, as he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
"Probably the biggest impact it's
had is on my family," he said. "My wife does many of the things I normally
would do."
Kim Pope takes care of many of the
details of their home life, which has included raising two children, to
give her husband a chance to conserve his energy so he can concentrate
fully on his job.
"I might work longer days to do everything
I used to be able to do," he said. "Being with the kids is a great part
of it. So many people with MS are much worse off than I am."
A board member for the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, Pope also is on the board of trustees for the Homeless
Children and Family Emergency Fund. He serves on several regional educational
committees and is involved with the alumni associations of Washington &
Jefferson and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his master's,
doctorate, principal's certification and superintendent's letter of eligibility.
Throughout his career, he's stuck
to the same set of guidelines.
"It's my business and my intent to
make my educators here the best they can possibly be, and to make the children
want to come to school," he said. And if he were no longer around, he'd
be happy if his epitaph bore a simple inscription:
"He did what was right for the kids."
Copyright ©2001 Observer Publishing
BY HARRY FUNK
THE OBSERVER-REPORTER