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GREENBURGH, N.Y. A New Jersey superintendent vying for the same position in Greenburgh said quality teachers, mentors and a learning plan are the keys to every students success.
Anthony Cavanna, a finalist for the Greenbrugh superintendent position, gave an outline of his vision for the district Thursday, pointing to a project-based approach to education, the need to engage every single student and a desire to foster good communication at all levels of the district.
Cavanna called Greenburgh a sleeping giant that presents its challenges but a number of opportunities.
I think that my candidacy is a good match for some of the challenges that Greenburgh Central 7 faces, he said. I think that Greenburgh Central 7 schools have not reached their full potential and I think my background and experience is a good match to help the students achieve all that they can possibly achieve."
Cavanna, the current superintendent of West Orange Public School District in Essex County, is no stranger to Greenburgh. He has lived in the town for the past 17 years. Before that, he lived in Valhalla where his children attended school.
In 2007 he unsuccessfully ran for the Greenburgh superintendent position. Cavanna said his experiences, both as a previous candidate and Greenburgh resident, would help create a mooth transition should he land the job.
I have a lot more relevant experience, Cavanna said referring to the first time he applied for the job. I think that experience will help move the district forward and address the challenges they face.
Thursday was the second of three question and answer sessions at Woodlands High School for the final candidates of the superintendent position.
On Wednesday, interim Superintendent and high school Principal Ronald Ross took his turn in front of the crowd at the high school cafeteria. On Friday, Robert Copeland, superintendent of Piscataway, N.J., Township Schools, will meet the community.
Cavanna, a former vice-president for the American Institutes for Research in Washington D.C. and superintendent of schools in the Old Bethpage Public School District, said his years of experience have led him to this point in his career.
This is the job that I have been preparing for, he said, adding that he intended to stay superintendent for 10, 12, 15, years whatever it takes to get the job done.
Cavanna said he would bring a top-down, bottom-up leadership approach to Greenburgh, the ability to manage a district budget and a passion for educating students.
This is my community, he said
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