Sauer glad to be back

WEBUTUCK — Recently rehired Webutuck High School Principal Ken Sauer gave his first principal’s report of the year at the Oct. 18 Board of Education (BOE) meeting.

Sauer started off by acknowledging the controversy created when he was rehired.

Several board meetings over the past few months have included extensive public debate about bringing him back to the district. While some parents, students and staff felt his history of having a strict disciplinary style and attitude often went too far, others, including the majority of the Board of Education, felt that overall Webutuck had been a better place with Sauer as principal and that he had matured since leaving the school district in 2007 after three years as head of the high school.

“I believe everybody deserves a clean slate,� he said, whether it be the student body or himself. As an administrator, Sauer hoped that people would quickly see that he was a principal who would be honest and open about where they stood with him.

Sauer said that after seven days it “feels great� to be at Webutuck, and he has been busy going through many of the necessary introductions with classes and students. He’s also met with students recently highlighted on the district’s student failure list in an effort “to get them back on the right path.�

Sauer also mentioned the GED program, which at the time of the board meeting had two students who are hoping that, with the additional classes, they will be able to graduate on time. He said that he will be working to increase enrollment in that program.

“When I started here six years ago I saw a student body in need of repair,� he told the board. “I think it’s healthier now. Our student body is in pretty good shape. I think we can do a lot and do more in terms of enthusiasm and school spirit, but that’s coming.�

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