Florence Carlton School District’s New Superintendent says “Attitude is everything and we are going to be positive.”
July 24, 2014 2 Comments
Scully takes over as head of Florence schools
Edward “Bud” Scully is the new superintendent at Florence-Carlton schools. “Attitude is everything and we are going to be positive,” said Scully. “Everything is new – like a fresh coat of paint. I’ve talked to a lot of kids and they tell me how great the staff is. Stay positive to do a better job for the kids – that what we’re here for.” PHOTO BY: DOUG McCONNAHA – for the Ravalli Republic
July 20, 2014 3:00 pm •
FLORENCE – Edward “Bud” Scully is settling in as the new superintendent at Florence-Carlton schools, replacing John McGee, the turbulent superintendent from 2005 to 2013, whose time was filled with argument, strife and plagiarism.
Scully started in Florence on June 30 with a five and a half hour board meeting – which included a walk-through, meeting, general updates and planning for the future.
“Attitude is everything and we are going to be positive,” said Scully.
“Everything is new – like a fresh coat of paint. I’ve talked to a lot of kids and they tell me how great the staff is. Stay positive to do a better job for the kids – that’s what we’re here for.”
Scully has 35 years in education and moved to Montana from Mohave Valley, Arizona where he was the principal of River Valley High School. He said his career in education began in high school when he became head custodian as a senior.
“I was handed the keys to the kingdom and worked hard for nine months until I went to college,” said Scully.
He continued doing maintenance work while at college where he received a P.E. major and a minor in science. He taught at the Catholic high school he graduated from, worked at a warehouse and then got a job in Salome, Ariz.
For 16 years he taught science, P.E., health and driver’s education and coached baseball, basketball and football. When he left he was the superintendent.
He and his wife taught in Needles, California. He worked at a Junior High teaching science and media technology.
“I’ve taught 13 different subjects – at small schools you’ve got to be flexible,” said Scully. “I’ve been a teacher, a counselor, the AD, vice-principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent – I’ve worn many, many hats in my long career.”
He has even served on a school board.
Then, he worked for Monte Silk at River Valley High in Arizona as a principal.
“I went to work for him and we became best friends,” said Scully, who stayed as principal of River Valley for the past 12 years.
Silk moved to Montana five years ago to be the superintendent of Corvallis Schools, he retired in June.
Silk was Scully’s tie to Montana.
“I interviewed for the Corvallis superintendent job and other places,” said Scully. “[The Florence-Carlton School District] had heard about me from articles in the paper on Corvallis. They called and asked if I could interview and they offered me a one year interim job – I took it. They had issues about hiring practices so they wanted to open it up so it is just an interim job.”
Scully said he is also here for beautiful Western Montana and that Florence-Carlton is small enough to provide big opportunities for his kids. He has three boys: 18, 13 and 11. In the fall they are going to Wichita State University in Kansas on a baseball scholarship, studying at Florence-Carlton in eighth and fifth grade, respectively.
The Florence-Carlton School District has big changes in their administration team.
“Audrey Backus was the principal of grades 3-8; she is moving up to 6-12,” said Scully. “What’s great is that she’s had all those kids through middle school and she’ll know them in high school. Chrissy Hulla will be principal of grades k-5. Also, our business manager resigned and is still here helping us out while we’re looking for a new one.”
Scully said he has had a positive start as superintendent of the Florence-Carlton School District.
“Everyone is very welcoming and there’s a great office staff,” said Scully. “I’d love to stay here. I’ve met many so many wonderful people.
“Attitude is everything and we are going to be positive – if you complain about the district you complain about yourself. We cannot allow a political agenda to affect the school.
“If it’s good for kids, we’re going to do it and we are going to stay positive.”
Reach reporter Michelle McConnaha at 363-3300 or michelle.mcconnaha@ravallirepublic.com.
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SOURCE: Scully takes over as head of Florence schools.
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Jul 1, 2014 10:26 AM by Jacqueline Quynh – KPAX News
Interim Florence schools chief tours school
FLORENCE – The new interim superintendent for the troubled Florence-Carlton School District marked his first day on the job on Monday.
Bud Scully takes over for the former embattled Superintendent John McGee – who resigned earlier this month.
Scully had a full agenda Monday, touring the district’s elementary and high school facilities to see what needs attention. Although the position is “interim,” Scully says he wants to stay for the long term.
“You’ve got to go out and beat the bushes for money – writing grants, talking to local contractors for some of the improvements, and just finding ways to bring in dollars that just aren’t part of the normal budget,” Scully told us.
Scully says he’s had 35 years of experience in education and has worn a lot of hats – starting from being a janitor as a teen in high school to becoming a teacher later in life, before working as a superintendent for 30 years in Arizona.
Members of the board of trustees say they still have to look at other applicants before coming to a final decision on hiring a permanent superintendent.
VIDEO: http://www.kpax.com/news/interim-florence-schools-chief-tours-school/
SOURCE: http://www.kpax.com/news/interim-florence-schools-chief-tours-school/
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This is the best news about FCHS since July 1st 2005!!! Good luck Mr. Scully, I am hoping you can get this District moving in the right direction,
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Thank goodness. It’s about time we have a “honorable” person in charge and hopefully one whom will demand excellence out of all employees and accept nothing less. Good luck Mr. Scully.
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