By Skip Dickstein
Eight years after joining Shenendehowa schools, Superintendent L. Oliver Robinson has fulfilled the promise of his supporters.
State education officials on Monday morning formally recognized Robinson, 44, by naming him the 2013 N.Y.S. Superintendent of the Year at a ceremony in The Desmond. Members of the New York State Council of School Superintendents selected the son of modest shopkeepers from Jamaica for the honor.
“Dr. Robinson is a strong voice for students across New York State,” said James Langlois, the council’s president. “He is an involved leader on the local, state and national level always keeping children’s interests at the heart of his decision-making.”
Robinson has managed the suburban district’s 9,800 students without a major hiccup. He came under some criticism last year during a controversy over who would teach sex education in the district. The council said Robinson provided leadership resulting in the district’s strong Regents graduation rate, high test scores, special advanced courses and programs.
Robinson graduated from Brown University and the University at Albany. He worked as the superintendent for the Mohonasen Central School District before coming to Shenendehowa. School board President Mary Blaauboer nominated him for the award.
“I am honored to be recognized for this prestigious award,” Robinson said. “Public education is about hope and hopefulness. It is about inspiring a sense of inquisitiveness in our children. It is about helping to bring them to their preferred dreams, regardless if it is college, career, or otherwise.”