Located in the historic Harlem Valley, Pawling is a charming and culturally-diverse community situated in southern Dutchess County, seventy miles north of New York City.  The school district enrolls approximately 1,200 students in an elementary school, middle school, and high school.   The district boundaries encompass the villages of Pawling, Patterson, and parts of Beekman and East Fishkill.  The area is well known as a residential, summer, and farming community.  The year-round population is approximately 11,000.

The District’s Vision Statement captures the aspirations of this vibrant school community:

The Board envisions the district as a safe and secure place in which our students will learn.  Staff, parents, and the community will work collaboratively to nurture a positive and productive learning climate for all students.  Students will be encouraged and taught to solve problems and make decisions that benefit themselves and others.  Student achievement will be assessed continually to monitor progress.  Teachers and students will be held accountable to high standards, not only academically, but in conduct as well.  Students will be encouraged to be responsible, respectful, self-disciplined members of the community.

Recently, stakeholders in the district were asked to identify the strengths of the school district and these were among those most frequently cited:

• A community which places a high value on education and student activities
• A supportive school board and a flexible management environment
• Stable finances with a history of good community support
• A strong instructional program with multiple professional development opportunities
• A community experiencing growth of younger, more diverse families
• A talented, enthusiastic, open-minded, creative faculty

Stakeholders were also asked to identify challenges for which the superintendent will need to provide leadership in the coming years:

• Addressing the needs associated with a changing demography
• Continuing to finance broad program offerings within existing financial constraints
• Maintaining the safety and security of the high school while providing flexibility for student movement on/off campus
• Enhancing recruitment opportunities for retiring instructional and support staff
• Ensuring more effective use of communications including social media
• Maintaining effective communications with local government and business officials