White sees many positives
BUTLER TWP — For Brian White, the highlights of his career in education have not been specific accomplishments or promotions.
“For me, some of my greatest, most satisfying moments were one-on-one moments where I felt I made a difference in a kid's life,” he said.
White was hired to be the Butler School District's next superintendent Wednesday night. He has been the Chartiers Valley School District superintendent since 2010.
He had yet to set an official start date at Butler as of Thursday, but was on campus in the afternoon meeting with administrators and getting the transition process started.
In terms of student enrollment, employees and school facilities, Butler is roughly twice the size of Chartiers Valley.
White said that even though the Butler district has been going through a “tumultuous” time, he believes there are plenty of positive things going on in its schools that some community members may not be aware of.
“When you talk to people there is such pride, but it is not projected. There is such potential for kids to do great things here,” he said.
White said that rather than bringing a specific set of goals to the district, he plans to get everyone working together and moving in the same direction.
“I truly value process. I do come with a set of processes to engage our community,” he said. “We will collectively define excellence, I think as a community at large we have to work together to define the role of the school and the role of the learner.”
As superintendent at Butler he will have to work with the school board and education association on a new teacher's contract this year and eventually re-open Summit Township Elementary School, which remains closed because of water problems.
White, 43, grew up in McCandless Township, Allegheny County, and got his first job teaching at Brashear High School in Pittsburgh after earning an undergraduate degree from West Virginia University.
After three years, he was recommended for a position as an administrative practitioner at Schenley High School, where he would later become acting principal.
He said he hadn't necessarily planned on leaving the classroom that early in his career, but he saw the advantages in taking on a different role.
“I had an impact on more kids' lives. When you feel you are making a positive difference, it's contagious,” he said.
From there he went on to work as an assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent in the Beaver School District.
He earned masters and doctorate degrees in education from the University of Pittsburgh. He lives in Ohio Township with his wife Danielle and their sons.
White will be missed at Chartiers Valley, said Tony Mazzarini, school board president.
An announcement for the community was posted to the district's website Thursday in which Mazzarini thanked White for his seven years of dedication and leadership there.
In an interview, Mazzarini said that White was a hands-on superintendent who was involved in projects such as the district negotiating new contracts with teachers, doing a renovation to its high school and the construction of a new middle school.
“Dr. White is a first-class guy. He is a skilled leader, he has a brilliant mind for a young guy; a guy who is still considered young in his profession. He works well with both the administration, the teachers and the community,” he said.
Despite some disagreement about contract terms and salary, all nine Butler school board members voted Wednesday in favor of hiring White, saying they were impressed with his vision and leadership.
White also noted that there was a good turnout of teachers and community members at the special meeting.
“I was really excited last night to see people smiling. There seems to be some genuine excitement,” he said. “I'm not sure it was over me, I think it was over change. I'd hope we can capture that excitement and push ourselves forward.”
