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Schools

Schoffstall Retiring This Month After 32 Years in Education

Valley View superintendent reflects on career, personal philosophy

After serving the for eight years, Supt. Phillip Schoffstall will officially step down June 30.

Much has changed since his first days. Having initiated facilities upgrades and curriculum improvements in previous school districts, Schoffstall envisioned a completely different mission upon his arrival in Valley View.

“I thought my assessment was needed to reorder the priorities from adults to children,” he said. “I saw a lot of good teachers but the operating systems were geared to the needs of adults.”

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Mission accomplished, according to Paula Bowling, retiring principal at .

“I have found him to be dedicated, responsive and totally committed to doing what is best for children," Hill said. "His years here were dedicated to children —helping staff members create opportunities for the students to be more engaged in learning.”

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Ron Krause, principal at and another 2011 retiree, concurred.

“Phil’s greatest contribution was to redirect our focus on the students we serve,” Krause said. “He was like a breath of fresh air when he arrived, as he knew that although we were in a business, we were in a people business. We knew from the start that he cared about kids and their successes.”

The way Schoffstall sees it, that success depends in large part on a school district’s effort to remain current with the needs of children in the 21st Century.

“One of the things in this district that illustrates that point is that eight years ago, our technology program was nonexistent,” Schoffstall said. “Today we have 6,000 computers. That’s an example of how to maintain relevancy.

"If we’re not providing our students an education in tune to the life they’re living, we’re going to lose them. They’ll end up home-schooled, in virtual classrooms, charter classrooms or magnet classrooms … someplace other than public classrooms.”

That, Schoffstall says, would be a grave mistake.

“I truly believe in the importance of public schools, primarily as a fulcrum of democracy, a place where all of us come together and take from it what we need," he said. "If we lose that public school, I’m not so sure our democracy won’t be weakened.”

If the “big picture” challenge is maintaining relevancy, the “little picture” challenge is having the necessary funding to meet the needs of a school’s subgroups, Schoffstall said, whether they are gifted or talented, have special needs, speak languages other than English or happen to be athletes or pregnant teenagers.

Ensuring enough teachers, providing staff development and maintaining facilities create additional financial challenges, Schoffstall said.

Despite those ongoing challenges, the retiring superintendent said he is pleased that during his tenure, Valley View has maintained a healthy cash balance with no need for a referendum.

Throughout his 32 years in education, Schoffstall has witnessed many changes, including the aforementioned innovations in technology.

“We have seen a dramatic change in the family structure,” he added, citing the increase in the number of single-parent families, blended families and homeless children.  

More positive changes, Schoffstall said, have come in the form of educational opportunities for subgroups of children, especially children with special needs or children who speak English as a second language, as well as the opportunities afforded to young women.

“That,” he said, “is far more significant than most people realize.”

When asked to define his style of leadership, Schoffstall smiled and said it would sound corny.

“I have had one guiding principle for leadership: to treat people the way I want to be treated,” he said. “People have to know that you cared, you listened, you considered their position. If you treat others the way you want to be treated, leadership isn’t all that difficult, in my opinion.”

Schoffstall paused for a moment, then added, “I didn’t learn that in college; I learned it from my mom.” Schoffstall’s application of his mother’s words of wisdom has clearly had an impact.

“He is a great listener and offers advice when you ask, but doesn’t try to micromanage the schools,” Hill principal Bowling said.

Krause agreed, saying, “Phil trusts his leaders and respects their abilities. He is a great mentor who taught me the power of listening and drawing people to their own conclusions by the questions asked. He shares his vision and gives those interested the resources needed to make the vision a reality.”

Schoffstall’s vision for his retirement is not so well defined.

“I don’t expect I will be idle,” he said. “There is some attraction to elective office and volunteer things. I’ve been very lucky. Doors of opportunity have opened at the right place and the right time. God has been good to me and my family, so I am not too concerned about the next door that will open.” 

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