Incoming super gets to know Kutztown
Dr. George Fiore serves as assistant to superintendent until Oct. 1 start date
Dr. George Fiore has spent his first month with Kutztown School District getting to know teachers and administration, touring schools and meeting students and parents.
The School Board selected Fiore as the Superintendent of KASD. He has been serving as Assistant to the Superintendent since Aug. 1 and will replace Superintendent Kathy Metrick who will be retiring. Her last day is Sept. 30. He becomes superintendent Oct. 1.
“She is the embodiment of the servant leader,” said Fiore. “She is always looking to help the community and everyone that she works with.”
Fiore views Metrick as a mentor and a great friend.
“I am so fortunate to work with her. I told her when she retires I’m going to call her everyday because she’s such a good person, a good leader,” he said. “She is Kutztown. She’s the kind of person who immerses herself into anything that she does 100 percent... She has some big shoes to fill.”
Fiore’s goal for his first month was to learn as much as possible about the district and the people within it. What he likes best about Kutztown are the people.
“Our students, our parents, our school board, teachers, everyone, it’s such a strong community. They care about each other. They care about the success of the kids,” said Fiore. “To me that is so refreshing. It’s indicative of how strong the community is. Very welcoming and supportive. Everyone I met with ... were offering me assistance and I was looking to be helpful to them.”
The first day of school on Aug. 29 was different for Fiore since he was accustomed to being a school principal. He was previously Wilson High School principal. This time he greeted students as assistant superintendent.
“This time I was in support of principals, teachers, parents. It was fun because I got to see kindergartners in the morning and 12th graders in the afternoon,” he said. “I saw the whole district. I sat in classes.”
Fiore is driven by the desire to help others, which he said can be so rewarding. He previously taught social studies, government and economics. As an assistant superintendent and soon superintendent, he likes being able to help a variety of people.
“My philosophy is to always do what is best for kids and try to create as many opportunities whether it’s a kindergartner or a 12th grader. That is our goal so that they actually have options for a future,” he said. “Most of our children are preparing for jobs that don’t exist so how do we create opportunities for them to be agile. They might do a job that no one’s ever heard of but they have skills.”
His goal is to work hard and care about people.
“That’s the community, that’s students, teachers, support staff,” said Fiore. “It really is that simple. If you care about people then you’re going to make good decisions. Working with everyone and working for everyone is my plan.”
“Our students, our parents, our school board, teachers, everyone, it’s such a strong community. They care about each other. They care about the success of the kids.” — Dr. George Fiore, Assistant Superintendent until Oct. 1 start date