Former Superintendent Ward Returns

Former Ellicottville Superintendent, Mr. Mark Ward, has returned to the district to serve as the Interim Superintendent until a full-time replacement is hired. Mr. Bob Miller, who served as the district’s superintendent retired on January 1, 2025. Mr. Ward is no stranger to the district, having started at ECS in 1975 serving as a teacher, coach, AD, Principal and Superintendent.

In his role, Mr. Ward will continue to make sure the environment is safe, the district is moving forward, and we continue to meet the social, emotional and academic needs of the students. Maintaining sound fiscal management and responding to the day-to-day needs of students and staff is always an important part of the job. It will be important to work with all members of the teaching and support staff to maintain a positive working atmosphere.

With only a few days on the job, it is too early to highlight major insights or observations. I enjoyed walking the halls and talking with students and staff. Visiting classrooms, observing teachers, developing a better understanding of our programs and learning more about ECS today will be a high priority.

ECS has always been a special place for me and clearly special for the students who attend school and the staff who work here. A caring, nurturing and loving environment is embodied in all of our employees and is almost a prerequisite for employment at the Ellicottville Central School. I can remember in the past saying that we often referred to working here not as a job, but “a way of life”!

As the district continues the search process, let me assure you nothing is going to stand still. We will continue to move the district forward, always seeking the very best for all of our students. Programs may be tweaked, adjustments made and if important decisions have to be made, we will make sure they are well researched and carefully thought through.

The district is very fortunate to have a student focused Board of Education willing to find the resources and make the decisions that benefit students. We are definitely experiencing a time period where there is a shortage of teachers (certified or not). This complicates our ability to staff classrooms and programs, but this district has left no stone uncovered to bring in high quality teachers.

While the special education needs have expanded greatly since I retired, the district has put in place the necessary programs, classrooms and staffing to accommodate the needs of our students. Historically, the district has always tried to keep our students in Ellicottville, if possible, and I see no change in that philosophy today.

Ellicottville Central School continues to be a school the community can be proud of and one that continues to meet the changing landscape of education. Parents can be confident that our staff and administration will listen and work with you whenever possible to provide the best educational opportunities for your students.

It is great to be back!