Dr. Roberts Retires

A run of 16 years with Clarkston Schools, is a quite a feat for Superintendent Al Roberts. Roberts announced his retirement on Monday to staff and board members. In the world where superintendents may come and go, Roberts is only the fifth superintendent heading the Clarkston Community Schools system, which has existed for more than 60 years. During his tenure, Roberts has overseen the largest building expansion in the district's history, with the construction of a new high school and two new elementary schools, expansion of the middle school almost doubling the building's size and remodeling each of the other buildings.

But Roberts says, the kids are where its at. Roberts started as a sixth grade teacher, becoming a principal by the time he was 30, having his school obtain a National Blue Ribbon award, then moving from New Jersey to Ohio and becoming superintendent of a district near Shaker Heights, and then moving on to Michigan and Clarkston.

The school board has yet to meet and decide if they are willing to let Roberts go in July,let him use the district exemption for another year of employment with the district or keep him for 85 days at one third of his salary, which would follow the new teacher retirement law.

Roberts downplays the building project and wants to talk about the programs that prepare kids for jobs not yet invented. Like any good educator, Roberts talks about kids and how to prepare them for the future. Roberts says, kids need good skill sets to help them gain employment and to become productive citizens. Skills such as problem solving, project based learning,information and technology skills, working in teams, and globalization are all things today's kids need and deserve.

Roberts says public education has been beaten down in current political climate, but he believes it is still the cradle of democracy. Without public education, Roberts thinks we would have a society of haves and have nots.

Roberts notes he is really proud of the Clarkston Science Mathematics and Technology classes, International Baccalaureate program, Destination Imagination teams, and Fast Forward software that have been instituted in the last few years for Clarkston students.

"More time to spend with my granddaughter is on the agenda," said Roberts. But he also says he still has the enthusiasm and excitement to work or volunteer in the education field in the future.

Good luck as you transition to new adventures, Dr. Roberts!