Superintendent Low Announces Appointment of Director of Technology and Operations Development
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Category: Education
Published on Wednesday, 13 June 2012 09:22
Written by Press Release, Ridgefield Public Schools
From the Office of Deborah Low, Superintendent of Schools:
I am pleased to announce Craig Tunks has been appointed as the new Director of Technology and Operations Development. Mr. Tunks interviewed with representatives from network administration, technology integrators, building administration, district administrators and technology department staff. As background, Mr. Tunks earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York, Oneonta and a Masters of Arts in Computer Science from Long Island University. Mr. Tunks has also completed graduate credits in Education Administration. He is currently working on a doctoral degree in Computer Science at Pace University.
Mr. Tunks began his professional career as a consultant and as the Director of Technology for businesses, non-profits, educational and financial institutions. For three years he was Director of Technology for the West New York Board of Education.
In 2004, Mr. Tunks joined the Monroe Public Schools as its Director of Technology. In this capacity Mr. Tunks established and maintained an advisory board for program curriculum; briefed the Board of Education on the status of infrastructure and usage; developed lessons to integrate technology into the classroom; and enabled parent access to improve home/school communication. During this time he supported distance learning, reduced costs via vendor negotiations, decreased electrical costs and electrical requirements, and merged the IT department for the town, police department and school district.
In 2010, following the merger of the IT department with town facilities, Mr. Tunks became the Director of Operations, Technology and Performance Management. In this expanded capacity with the Monroe Public Schools he managed facilities, human resources, information technology, finance and library media specialists and technology teachers district-wide.
Dr. Colleen Palmer, former Superintendent of Monroe Public Schools (and current Superintendent of Weston Public Schools) spoke about the positive outcomes achieved through Mr. Tunks’ excellent problem-solving ability and great work ethic displayed in the numerous responsibilities he was assigned in Monroe. Mr. John Battista, AssistantSuperintendent of Monroe Public Schools, described Mr. Tunks’ leadership in projects including implementing the district’s new student information system and the beginning phases of bring-your-own-technology at the STEM middle school. He spoke highly about Mr. Tunks’ careful planning and emphasis on staff training. Mr. Tunks’ leadership also involved technology integration, network infrastructure, security issues, data management, etc. Mr. Battista described Mr. Tunks’ leadership style as “approachable” and stated he had built good relationships across the district. Both Mr. Jim Agostine, current Monroe Superintendent, and Mr. Ceccolini, middle school principal, echoed the descriptions of Mr. Tunks’ positive relationships with the staff. In addition, all references spoke about Mr. Tunks’ availability on projects and responsiveness to problems.
Mr. Craig Tunks has the knowledge, skills, experience, district-perspective, and energy to be successful as Director of Technology and Operations Development. I hope you will join me in welcoming him to Ridgefield. Mr. Tunks will officially begin his position in August and will spend time, beginning now and as his schedule allows, transitioning to his new responsibilities.
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