By Michael Nocella

As Weedsport Superintendent Gregory M. Stone nears one year on the job (he started January 2, 2024), it’s safe to say he feels like Weedsport is home. He has taken not only to the district, but the community as a whole.

“Weedsport CSD is truly a hidden gem in Upstate New York,” Stone said. “The district benefits from a strong sense of community, high levels of support for our schools, and a culture that values education. Our academic programs are robust and competitive, and the staff is incredibly skilled and dedicated. The district has a proud history of excellence, and there are emerging areas that are poised for growth. It’s a well-run organization that provides students with exceptional opportunities.”

Over the past several months, one initiative Stone has leaned into is creating a new strategic plan for the district. After forming a Strategic Planning Committee, the group has been hard at work, meeting regularly, and building something that is meant to last. The new strategic plan is slated to be officially launched in Fall of 2025.

When asked what he was excited most about this school year, Stone did not hesitate.

“I am most excited about our ongoing Strategic Planning process,” he said. “We’ve created a transparent, inclusive process that brings together stakeholders from all parts of the district and the community. This diverse group has been working hard to update our district’s mission, vision, values, and goals. By the end of this year, we aim to have a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide our priorities and growth over the next five years. I’m eager to see the positive impact this roadmap will have on our students and district as a whole.”

Stone said a total of 46 people who have, or will, participate in some capacity in helping put Weedsport’s new strategic plan together. Of those 46, there is group that is referred to as the “core strategic planning team.” Those members are the following:

• Mindy Ervay (Weedsport Staff)
• Jessica Docteur (Community Member)
• Greg Stone (Weedsport Staff)
• Greg Campbell (Community Member )
• Colleen Borza (Board Member/Community Member)
• Eric Quinn (Community Member)
• Teneka Harmon(Weedsport Staff/Community Member)
• Shantel Dolph (Weedsport Staff/Community Member)
• Mariesa Simon (Weedsport Staff/Community Member)
• Juliana Lovell (Weedsport Staff/Community Member)
• Katrina Kime (Weedsport Staff/Community Member)
• Sherri Monell (Weedsport Staff/Community Member)
• Ann DeFazio (Weedsport Staff)
• Tim Cowin (Weedsport Staff)
• Jeanette Rosenberg-Smith (Weedsport Staff)
• Leslie McDowell (Weedsport Staff)
• Hannah Fancher (Weedsport Staff)
• Deb DeSantis (Weedsport Staff)
• Melissa Hrycko (Weedsport Staff)
• Tyler Langdon (Weedsport Student)

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Melinda Ervay said not only has she learned a lot from the process, but that she is eager for the district to see what the team has been working on.

“I was thrilled to hear about Greg’s vision, because it is in alignment with my belief that developing a meaningful strategic plan is the key to making systematic, long-term growth in any organization,” she said.

“Greg is familiar with the strategic planning process,” Ervay noted, “so we were off and running the day he stepped onto campus. Our plan is very well thought out so goals and action steps will be in place for a strong start to the 2025-2026 school year. What has me excited the most is that the community has been very engaged and positive about this process and understands the importance of a clear, long-term plan to guide our district into the future.”

Deputy Superintendent for the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Jessica Docteur echoed Ervay’s sentiments, noting the process has been efficient. 

“Greg is super thoughtful, reflective, instructionally-focused and action-oriented,” Docteur said. “I appreciate that he quickly recognized the strengths of the district while also identifying a need for a comprehensive strategic plan to provide focus and coherence for everyone working in service of the students in Weedsport. I am thankful to have been included in the planning and facilitation of the process.” 

In terms of crafting the right strategic plan for Weedsport specifically, Stone said he wanted to understand the district first. Almost a year into the job, it’s safe to say he has a firm grasp of that. He knows it all starts with the Weedsport community as a whole.

“Our greatest strength is the small size of our community and student body,” Stone said. “While smaller enrollment can limit some program offerings, the close-knit relationships between staff and students more than make up for it. Each staff member knows our students personally, which fosters a welcoming, supportive environment. This enables us to quickly identify and address any student struggles. The strength of these relationships is reflected in our high attendance rates, strong academic performance, and success in both athletics and the arts.”

That said, he noted that strength naturally presents its own challenges as well.

“Our biggest challenge, as well as our greatest asset, is our size,” he said. “Being a smaller district means we have fewer resources compared to larger schools, so we are constantly finding innovative ways to expand our course offerings and extracurricular activities. We work diligently to ensure that the programs we offer are high-quality, diverse, and aligned with students’ interests and future career opportunities. Our focus remains on providing a well-rounded education despite resource limitations.”

A crucial part to the new strategic plan is making sure everyone in the district is safe. 

“One key area of focus is the safety and security of our students and staff,” Stone said. “We recently completed a safety audit that identified several areas for improvement, and we are prioritizing these needs as we plan updates to our facilities and safety protocols. Ensuring a safe learning environment is paramount as we look to the future.”

Stone is excited to unveil the new strategic plan to the community in 2025, and said it will be something he’s confident everyone in the district and community will be proud of. On top of safety and security, the educational components of the plan will be designed to help make sure the district stays innovative, and up-to-date with best practices.

“We are exploring new course offerings to align with students’ interests and prepare them for future careers,” Stone said. “Expanding opportunities in STEM, the arts, and vocational programs will ensure that Weedsport students are well-equipped for success in a rapidly changing world.”

Ervay noted that she was glad Stone was tackling this endeavor – and leading it – so early on in his tenure as superintendent.

“I’m not necessarily surprised,” she said, “but appreciate Mr. Stone’s transparency, collaborative nature, and his philosophy of ‘what’s best for kids.’ These traits will strengthen the foundation of our district and continue to bring the entire educational community together to work toward what’s best for ALL students in the Weedsport Central School District.”