Superintendent Walker's perspective on changing landscapes

Hampton — Former Kittatinny Regional District Superintendent Robert Walker sat down for a chat at the Hampton Diner to discuss how he feels the landscape of education changed during his 32-year tenure. Walker retired on July 1 and has made plans for the next phase of his life. He wants to relax, take road trips with his wife in their RV, visit his brother in Kentucky, and his children in Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida and Colorado. He also would like to buy a cabin on a “lakefront somewhere as a secondary getaway.” He is also contemplating consulting work for school districts, particularly assisting with collective bargaining and lobbying in Washington, D.C. He will consider serving as an interim administrator. He also hopes to champion the cause of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, since he watched his mother battle it for 10 years while she lived with his family. He is eager to lobby the federal government on behalf of school districts because of his experience. The Kittatinny Regional school district is the “second largest geographic district in New Jersey, 125 square miles,” he said. About 18,000 acres is federal parkland. Walker secured funding to offset the income the district would have gained if that land were occupied. The $56 million over 23 years took more than 10 percent off the tax burden. One change Walker observed during his time at KRHS is the power of computers and the Internet. The school started a teacher’s academy, to keep faculty up-to-date with technology. He said that the credentials and quality of the current teaching staff is incredible. Another change is the exchange with community organizations. Artificial external defibrillator student training led the CBS television network to air a feature in February 2004. “It began in 2002 when I collaborated with American Heart Association representative Ron Dee Lockwood,” Walker said. “Newton Hospital and PNC Bank provided staff training and certification in CPR and AED.” The student council purchased one of the devices. “Some students tease their parents when they say, ‘I want to use the family car’ and their parents hesitate to say yes, and they (the students) remind their parent that if they have heart failure they will not hesitate to jump into action to save them,” he joked. Overall, Walker sees the greatest change to be within the students. “The kids,” he said, “are so energetic, they smile, and are so respectful,” he said. “Today’s youth are eager to learn and take responsibility for helping others, including saving lives.” According to Class of 2007 valedictorian Trevor Pinho, Walker did “a really good job getting things from the Board, money for programs, activities and trips … his main focus was the students.” Pinho, selected by Walker to attend the annual County Superintendent’s Roundtable Luncheon at Lafayette House in May, said his school is “going to be different; they need to get someone just as willing to fight for the students.” Denise Georges, alumna, and now English teacher and head cheerleading coach at the school, said, “When I was a student, Mr. Walker was visible and approachable at so many school events. He would cruise in on his motorcycle Saturdays and make a day of supporting our teams. I remember him stopping by the football field fence at half time to tell the cheerleaders to “keep up the great work.” When we won the State Sectionals in track, I think he was as excited as we were. We knew that he supported us and that his door was always open.” “As a teacher and coach,” Georges said, “I witnessed more of the same. Almost 20 years later and he was still there at all those sporting events with shouts of encouragement for the teams and the coaches. It was such a pleasure to work for someone who obviously cared so much about the kids, teams, coaches and the entire staff. I credit him for creating a strong tradition of excellence as well as building amazing foundation to build on as we look toward the future.” Board President Anthony Norod, who has known Walker since the district was formed, describes him as “the heart and soul of Kittatinny; its going to be hard to replace him.” Asked to reflect on his time in the district, Walker said, “It’s been a rewarding experience; one can’t dream of the experiences I’ve been rewarded. I’ve been truly blessed. I’ll miss the school.”