The Patch Q&A: Meet White Plains’ Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent Christopher "Chris" Clouet says working with the district's outstanding staff and diverse community are the highlights of being superintendent for the White Plains City School district. This is Clouet's second year as superintendent.

He held the same position in Connecticut's New London public school district for five years before coming to White Plains. Clouet has spent more than 25 years in education—as a superintendent, high school principal and Portuguese/English bilingual teacher—and is a lifelong Mets fan.

Clouet, 52, currently lives in the Highlands neighborhood of the city with his wife Margarida, a nurse practitioner and director of nursing at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT. The Clouets have three grown children and a grandchild.

In addition to working with the school district community, the superintendent commits his time to a variety of other organizations in the city.  He is a member of the Rotary Club of White Plains, the White Plains–Greenburgh Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the White Plains Public Library Board of Trustees.

White Plains Patch recently sat down with Clouet to talk about issues facing the district:

White Plains Patch: How would you describe the White Plains City School District?

Christopher Clouet: It's a diverse school district with an urban flavor. It has an incredible amount of offerings for kids of different backgrounds. We have an extensive offering of Advanced Placement courses; courses that offer college credits; and a range of services for students with special needs, like special education and support for the mastery of English.

WPP: What's in store for the 2010-11 school year?

Clouet: We're working hard to increase our use of technology effectively for both students and teachers. We introduced a password-protected software application that allows us to call out to parents, and allows parents to have more access to information about their kid's progress.

On a cautious note, we are concerned about the ongoing economic contractions, which lead to a scarcity of resources. I'm concerned about that impact on public education around the county, but my focus is on White Plains naturally.

The increase of the demands of the pension system has been difficult, and the demands related to tax certioraris are huge. So, at the end of the day the potential for deep cuts are something that is a concern.

WPP: What are the school district's goals for the 2010-11 school year?

Clouet: Increasing communication with parents about how we deliver education services to kids, and doing it in a more effective way. It is challenging, and we are doing it in a multilingual way. We want to use 21st century technology effectively to make it easier for parents to communicate with us, and us with them.

WPP: What are some challenges this school district will face this year?

Clouet: Re-designing how we deliver instruction to meet new state assessments. The fiscal challenges in combination with that paradigm shift are going to put more pressure on a district that has the kind of diversity we have.

WPP: What are some things that you are excited or proud of this year?

Clouet: There are tons, we do a lot of great things. We have a fantastic arts program, and a new digital media lab at Eastview [Middle School] where kids use modern technology to develop narratives and documentaries. We are also expanding our dual-language program in two elementary schools. Those are some of the things.

WPP: What is your favorite aspect of being the superintendent in White Plains?

Clouet: It's a great district with a very talented staff and really wonderful kids and families. There are a lot of challenges and that's a part of the work to help guide kids through the complex process of growing up and becoming educated. That never ending set of challenges…that's what makes the work satisfying and interesting. It's never dull.