Dr. Barry Martin, who in his nearly 44 years of public education has been a classroom teacher, a school principal, a central office administrator and school district superintendent, has informed the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education that he intends to retire as superintendent of Monroe Pubic Schools on December 31, 2016. Dr. Martin has been superintendent of Monroe Public Schools since July 1, 2013.
The school board accepted Dr. Martin’s retirement at its meeting Tuesday, August 23.
Under Dr. Martin’s guidance, the nearly 6,000-student district has greatly expanded education offerings at various levels. For instance, when it appeared the Learning Bank of Monroe County may have to close due to lack of funding, Dr. Martin developed a funding plan and helped the Learning become an MPS facility. It remains a viable education alternative for adults. In fact, it just recently started offering the Monroe Adult Diploma, the only place in Monroe County offering such an opportunity for adults.
Since Dr. Martin became superintendent, Monroe Public Schools assumed sole operation and direction of Orchard Center High School. School counseling services in Monroe Schools were modified and greatly improved to provide more social and emotional supports for enhanced student learning. This year, all 1,900 students in grades 5 through 8 will receive a Chromebook for use in school and home, to enhance their learning opportunities. In addition, the district is moving into a total digital curriculum for science studies at the k-9 level.
Other improvements which have come under Dr. Martin are increased security at all school buildings and the administration building, including a new building access control system at each school. Improved state-of-the-art bus security for all 58 of the district’s fleet of buses will be in place when school starts. In addition, the district greatly improved its communications with the district families and staff by installing a new call-out system that is used for such things as school closings and delays.
Dr. Martin has been with Monroe Public Schools since 1986. He began with the district as elementary school principal at the former Christiancy Elementary School. For 13 years, he served as Director of State and Federal Programs, annually securing more than $4 million in state and federal grant programs.
He also developed the first district-wide school improvement plan before becoming superintendent which continues to be the focus for instruction in Monroe Public Schools today.
During his years with Monroe Public Schools, he wrote the district’s anti-bully policy and established Monroe Virtual High School, the first institution of its kind in Monroe County. He also directed the district’s summer school program and worked closely with homeless families in the district to ensure their children receive an education. In addition, he coordinated the McKinney Vento Education for Homeless Grant Program for Monroe County for many years.
At Monroe Public Schools, Dr. Martin established the program for English Language Learner students, lead development of the first written art curriculum for the district and introduced Outdoor Education for Elementary students.
Prior to joining Monroe Public Schools 30 years ago, Dr. Martin spent 11 years as a classroom teacher and three years as an assistant principal in the Washington Local Schools in Toledo. He holds three degrees from Bowling Green State University – a bachelors degree in Elementary Education, a masters degree in School Administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Educational Administration.