just trying to transform our campus into a more modern student-centered environment.” The balance between innovation and tradition defines much of the district’s strategic thinking. “I want to stay true to our community values, innovating the best way we can, but having that balance of honoring who we are while preparing what we want to become,” Dr. Criscione explains. For a district that earned National Blue-Ribbon recognition in 2021 and maintains high academic performance with 99% of high school students testing proficient in math, change carries risk as well as opportunity. Elsesser’s priority centers on ensuring middle school students arrive at high school ready to pursue their interests immediately. “I want students to be able to sample all those things in middle school so that when they get to high school, they don’t necessarily have to waste as much time figuring out what does motivate them, but that they’re ready to springboard and follow those areas of passion,” he says. Dr. Branscombe focuses on leadership and resourcefulness. “It really is about empowering leaders,” he says. “Oftentimes we say no to things because we can’t afford it, we can’t find the time. I think it’s about empowering leaders to find ways around those obstacles, whether it be grant money, whether it be volunteers joining us to help out.” 295 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
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