Buckley takes over as high school principal

Warwick — The new school year began Wednesday week with John Buckley taking charge of Warwick Valley High School for the first time as principal. Buckley has been appointed principal on an interim basis following the resignation of Randall Barbarash. Buckley had been one of Barbarash’s assistant principals prior to his departure. Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Greenhall has only said that Barbarash left to take a new position elsewhere. Buckley gained his degree at Kansas State University and followed that by obtaining his master’s degree at the University of Vermont. Buckley is married with three children, who all graduated from Warwick Valley High School. Although the position is new to Buckley, the school district is not. Buckley has worked in Warwick Schools for 33 years as both a teacher and administrator. His first job in the district was as a teacher of agriculture. “I’m looking forward to a smooth opening,” Buckley said Tuesday on the eve of the new school term. Buckley is clearly approaching the year ahead with enthusiasm and confidence. “I had my first meeting with the teachers and with the superintendent today,” said Buckley. “The faculty here is open-minded and committed to a very positive future. I already see a climate within the school which is very supportive.” Meanwhile, several new courses and opportunities for students to gain college credits will be introduced this year to the high school. Electives in oceanography and astronomy will join the already diverse offerings to students which cross all disciplines including psychology, landscape design, horse science and entrepreneurship. Orange County Community College will provide three courses for college credit in partnership with the High School Business Department. College credit courses already exist in English, Language development, science and social studies. Buckley’s position is on an interim basis at present but he is hopeful that it will become permanent. “I would anticipate it would,” said Buckley. The one area Buckley hopes to maintain and hopefully improve upon is the students’ scores in Regents exams. Regents exams results for the 2006 year, the most recent figures published, show the high school scores especially high in Comprehensive English, Mathematics A, Global History and Geography, U.S. History and Government and Living Environment. With scores that show that 88 percent or more of students passed these exams with a score of 65 or better improving upon these results won’t be easy. But Buckley has confidence in his students and in his teachers. “The high school has a very impressive record with Regents Scores and I hope that continues,” he said. Buckley also encourages parents to get involved with the school by joining the Parent Teacher Student Association. The first meeting of the new term will be held on Thursday, Sept. 27, in the High School Conference Room.