Superintendent's Message - November 4, 2021

SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE

November 4, 2021

Mrs. Tracey Poole, Elementary School Principal, has announced her retirement from Wayne Local Schools effective December 1, 2021. We appreciate her many years of dedicated service to our district as a teacher and an administrator in the Elementary and Middle School buildings. We wish the very best to Mrs. Poole and her family in all future endeavors.

COVID-19 has impacted three consecutive school years, and it is imperative that we minimize anything that affects our students. It is crucial that all students and staff have a positive, productive, and successful school year.

Mrs. Anna Garafolo, current Athletic Director and Administrator, has been appointed as the Interim Elementary Principal by The Board of Education and myself effective December 1, 2021. Mrs. Garafolo brings a wealth of experience, skills, and enthusiasm to the Principal Chair. Anna’s dedication, problemsolving skills, and love of children will make her transition into this new role seamless. I have spoken with Mr. Brian Byrer, Assistant Elementary Principal, and he is excited to work as a team with Mrs. Garafolo.

The athletic department is also vital to Wayne Local Schools and we will adjust and make changes accordingly as Anna moves into her new role from Athletic Director to Elementary Principal.

Statement from Mrs. Garafolo:

“A quote by Leo Rosten- ‘The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to matter- to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.’ I am thankful, proud, and devoted to the students, families, and community of our Wayne Local School District. I have been blessed to hold many different roles and responsibilities throughout my educational career, all of which have allowed me to continue learning and better serve Wayne Local Schools. Making a difference with students, staff and the families within Waynesville is meaningful to me. I am committed to the safety, success and growth of all our stakeholders. In this new role, I will continue to engage adults and our Spartan community to be active participants of our youth. Together, with one another, our students, staff, families and community, all will thrive. To all of us in education… from the movie Gladiator – ‘What we do in life-- echoes in eternity.’ Thank you to our Wayne Local School Board, Mr. Pat Dubbs, and Mr. Ron James for this opportunity. To my fellow administrators, colleagues and staff, thank you for all that you do day in and day out. You make the difference.”