By Casey Curtis
Leader Staff Writer
As of July 1, the Oxford School District will be welcoming a new Executive Director of Curriculum to its staff.
Jim Schwarz, the current principal of Clear Lake Elementary School, will be stepping up to the new position.
The last Executive Director of Curriculum, Karen Eckert, retired this spring, so Schwarz decided to apply for the position he had been gearing himself toward for years.
Schwarz said that he’s been mentored by Eckert for several years now and served on many curriculum committies throughout the district. He said his new position will help continue the movement toward change within the district’s curriculum.
‘I’m very excited about it,? he said. ‘I’m excited about (the district) becoming more competitive academically.?
Schwarz also hopes to review the content within school courses and grade levels while also working with the district to meet federal mandates like the No Child Left Behind initiative.
Schwarz has been the principal at Clear Lake for seven years and said he’ll miss all of the staff members who have become like family to him.
‘That aspect’s going to be difficult,? he said. ‘But I won’t be far.?
Schwarz said he doesn’t have a specific agenda for his new position, but he hopes the district will continue along the path of renewing the curriculum.