PRESS RELEASE CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT A MESSAGE FROM THE BOE PRESIDENT OCTOBER 2011 The Board

d of Education extends a hearty welcome to Mr. Mark Sissel as Carthage Central School Districts Interim Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum. Mark comes to Carthage from Westfield Academy and Central School District in Western New York State, where he served as the Superintendent of Schools. After the first stage in the interview process, the Board found Markss leadership skills, qualifications, and presentation to be exemplary and potentially beneficial for the district. His expertise and qualifications are ones that are needed since three of the districts five schools are currently on the New York State Schools In Need of Improvement list. In order to be transparent to the community, this Board wishes to address an issue that has arisen. Mark and his previous district had a mutual release agreement. The Carthage Central District Board of Education members extensively researched this candidate and his background rather than making a decision based solely on media sources. Through its review of the local media sources in the Westfield area, the Board read the information from local newspapers and blog sites. Additionally, an extensive and thorough check of all references was done, and the Board reviewed the Westfield districts audit reports. At this stage of the process, the Board requested Mr. Sissel to return for a second interview. During his second interview on Monday, Oct. 17, specific questions concerning the Boards findings were asked. At the end of the interview, Mark Sissel was found to be in good standing. In conclusion, the Board of Education was aware of what was in the media and took it a step further by talking to the people that would know the facts before making a final decision. The members of the Board are very confident that Mr. Sissel will be an asset to this district and welcomes him to the districts leadership team. Michael P. Chevier President CCSD Board of Education