Holley's director of instruction
/special programs retires after 21 years

Holley Central School District will say goodbye to one of its top administrators on August 31. John Heise, director of instruction/special programs for the past four years, joined the district in July 1981 as elementary principal, a position he held for 11 years. He then moved into the role of high school principal, where he stayed until taking his present position in July 1998.

"John has been a key administrative team member who has served the district's needs well in a variety of administrative roles," said Superintendent Vernon Hobbs. "His community involvement and support for instructional improvement have made Holley a better district. He has made a difference in the lives of many students and will be truly missed."

Before coming to Holley, Heise worked as an elementary teacher in the Rochester City School District. He started there in 1969 teaching grades 3-6, then worked as a reading/math teacher. He also mentored first year teachers. Heise then became an elementary vice principal for instruction and served as acting elementary principal on two occasions.

"I've enjoyed working with peers and colleagues who were excited about coming to work each day because they were improving the lives of children," said Heise. "I've also enjoyed the variety of positions I've had and the challenges of learning new things that went with each position."

Heise's greatest challenge in his current position has been trying to keep up with all of the paperwork. He was able to get the student interaction he enjoys by getting out into the classrooms and hallways, and attending as many student events as possible. "Because I am familiar with many students and their families, it is always a joy to see the students on the athletic fields or on a stage," he said.

Heise will be spending the next month helping his successor, former Holley elementary school teacher Karri Schiavone, become acquainted with the job. Schiavone has been principal of Warren P. Towne Elementary School in Medina for the past two years.

In his retirement, Heise said he plans to catch up on his reading and do a little fishing. His wife Sandra, a sixth-grade teacher in Albion, has one more year before she retires. Once she does, the couple will do some traveling and possibly visit some of the 12 exchange students they have hosted over the last 20 years. The Heise's have two children, Samantha, age 27, who is a social worker for Child and Family Services in Buffalo, and Kevin, age 22, a graduate student in student affairs at Buffalo State College.

Heise will also remain active in his service to the community. He will serve as incoming president of the Holley Rotary Club, for which he's also served as Youth Exchange chair. As chair, Heise has chaperoned some 60 students from the United States and Canada who were traveling to Japan for a year's stay. He has served as director for Youth Services for Rotary District 7090 (western New York and southern Ontario) and is currently an assistant governor for the organization. In 1991, Heise received the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) Best Friend Award and has served on ARC's Orleans County Board of Directors. For five years, he served on the NIOGA Board of Trustees. NIOGA is the area library system for Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties.

Heise said he will miss working with Superintendent Vernon Hobbs and the Holley Board of Education. "They have worked hard the past few years to establish a team atmosphere," he said. "Because of this, we have been able to accomplish a lot for students."