Hudson Falls Principal To Lead CCS

(From March 18, 2010, Freeman’s Journal)

Editor’s Note:  This is the article that appeared in the March 18, 2010, edition of The Freeman’s Journal, when it was announced C.J. Hebert would become Cooperstown Central School superintendent.

COOPERSTOWN

Clifton Joseph “C.J.” Hebert, III, high school principal in Hudson Falls, has bested 41 contenders and been chosen as the next superintendent of the Cooperstown Central School District.

Hebert – pronounced “AY-bear,” a nod to his French-Canadian heritage – will be formally appointed April 7 and will start work here July 1, according to school board President Tony Scalici.

The final salary is still being negotiated, Scalici said, but it will be within in the $125,000-$140,000 range contained in the help-wanted ad.

Hebert, a native of Natural Bridge, in the North Country, replaces Mary Jo McPhail, the local school district’s chief executive for a dozen years, who is retiring.

The new superintendent had to jump numerous hurdles in a structured recruitment process designed by a consultant the school board hired for that purpose.

The two score candidates were winnowed down to 19, then down to 11 who were interviewed. The final four came to Cooperstown on separate days – long days that began at 8 and lasted into the evening – the week of March 8.

During that visit, the candidates met with seven committees – of teachers, of community members, of students, even of cafeteria workers – each of which gave their assessments to the school board.

In particular, Scalici said, he was impressed at the comfortable way Hebert interacted with the student committee.

The school board made the decision Saturday, March 13, and it was announced to the school community and the press the following Monday.

Reached at Hudson Falls High School, Hebert said he was inspired by an uncle, Roger Draper, an English teacher in Watertown, to pursue a career in education.
He graduated from Carthage High School, then received his bachelor’s from SUNY Oswego and master’s from SUNY Albany.

He taught English at Corinth High School, Saratoga County, and rose to principal there before taking a similar position in Hudson Falls, in nearby Washington County.

His wife, Tammy, is also an English teacher who became an administrator; she is currently interim middle school principal in Corinth, and will be seeking a position locally.

The couple has three children. Christina, 29, is an art teacher in Celebration, Fla., outside Orlando. Christopher, 26, is a math teacher in Manhattan. Cliff, 17, will be a junior at Cooperstown Central School.