Senate Resolution No. 5626

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMENDING Dr. Roger J. Klatt upon the occasion of
his retirement after 18 years of dedicated service
to the Barker Central School District

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have
been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Dr. Roger J. Klatt upon the occasion of his retirement after 18
years of dedicated service to the Barker Central School District of
Barker, New York; and

WHEREAS, For 30 years, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has served as an educator;
he began his long and distinguished career as a both a teacher and coach
for the Albion Central School District; throughout his tenure, he
coached three varsity sports and worked as a physical education, 6th
grade and an alternative education teacher; and

WHEREAS, After 15 years with the Albion Central School District, Dr.
Roger J. Klatt joined the Barker Central School District as the Middle
School Principal, a position he held for three years; from 2003-2006, he
held the title of Director of Instructional Services, and then Assistant
Superintendent for the next year; for the past 11 years, he has served
as Superintendent of Schools, the position from which he will officially
retire in 2018; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his role at Barker Central School District,
Dr. Roger J. Klatt has been the shared Superintendent with
Royalton-Hartland School District since 2013; this past year, the
students' performance results and graduation rates increased; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has served as the
Orleans-Niagara BOCES representative to the House of Delegates, the New
York State Education Commissioner's Advisory Council and the Middle
Level Liaison to SED; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Dr. Roger J. Klatt, the
Barker Central School District is currently ranked No. 2 out of 429
schools in the category of Achievement index (socioeconomic status and
achievement results); the District is also ranked No. 17 out of 98
schools in Western New York, and earned a Silver Medal rating by US News
and World Report; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roger J. Klatt also implemented an online blended
learning college course to both districts as well as an international
exchange program; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roger J. Klatt has made numerous presentations at
various conferences including the New York State School Boards
Association Conference, the New York State Rural Schools Association
Conference, and the UCEA Conference; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Roger J. Klatt published an article
entitled "Young Superintendents with School-Age Children: Gendered
Expectations, Effectiveness, and Life Quality in Rural Communities" for
the Journal of School Leadership, and his dissertation findings were
highlighted in the School Administrator; he was also a contributing
author of Snapshot 2012: The 8th Triennial Study of the Superintendency
in New York State; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
students and the entire community of Barker Central School District, Dr.
Roger J. Klatt was named the 2014 Educational Leader of the Year by
Niagara University, the 2010 Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction, and the
1995 Educator of the Year by the Albion Central School District; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his outstanding career as an educator, Dr. Roger
J. Klatt has truly strived to develop learning environments in which
all students can thrive; he has coupled high expectations with rich
opportunities, making innovation, improvement, and success for all
children a public school reality; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roger J. Klatt's loyalty to the district and to his
staff is truly admirable; all who have had the privilege to work with
him through the years have known him to be an honest and hard-working
administrator who always made the needs and concerns of his students his
top priority; and

WHEREAS, The driving force behind Dr. Roger J. Klatt's commitment to
public education is his belief that all children have the potential to
do great things if given the opportunity; he prides himself on creating
an educational environment where students come first and expectations
are high; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Roger J. Klatt upon the occasion of his retirement after 18
years of dedicated service to the Barker Central School District, and to
wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Roger J. Klatt.