Outgoing Massie reflects on busy year

Interim superintendent Larry Massie finished out his contract this week with Orange County Public Schools, ending a somewhat tumultuous administrative school year that started with Dr. William Crawford at the helm, and concludes with the arrival of Dr. Robert P. “Bob” Grimesey, Jr. Brought in to fill the gap between superintendents, Massie worked through one of the worst budget years he has ever experienced and hopes he brought a sense of family to the public school system.
Massie, a retired superintendent from Buckingham County Public Schools with more than 40 years of public education experience in Virginia, was hired in November to finish out the remainder of former superintendent Dr. William Crawford’s contract, when he and the board parted ways last year. According to Dictrict 3 School Board Member Judy Carter, Massie’s experience with school budgets was one of the main factors in his hiring. 
“The board’s hope is to get through the rest of the year,“ she said when he was hired. “Where he is coming from, they are fully accredited and made Adequate Yearly Progress.  I think our staff is doing a good job looking for changes, but fresh eyes may see something that we don’t see.“
Massie, who said he knew that was a factor in his hiring, felt he was up to the challenge, making hard decisions in order to balance the budget.
“This budget year was the worst I’ve seen in my 42 years of experience in education,“ he said. “The cooperation I received from chief financial officer [Barbara Hill], the staff, the principals and the understanding of the teachers has been incredible.“
According to Massie, the decisions that had to be made regarding the budget weighed on him heavily.
“I was so sorry that in order to make ends meet we had to lose 56 positions from the budget,“ he said. “I made every effort to deliver the news in person and explain the reason. I have to say that the response was one of understanding which I’ll always be grateful for and never forget.“
Since the cuts were made, Massie said that he has worked with several of the people affected to help them find jobs.
“The whole process was heart-wrenching and it weighed greatly on my mind,“ he said. “Looking back, it was the right thing to do. The result is that we’re more efficient [and] it will allow funds for directly educating children in the classroom.“
Aside from the budget, Massie targeted other key issues within the school division-particularly accountability.
“We need at every level, from superintendent to staff, to be held directly accountable for our actions and performance,“ he said.
Massie also stressed the importance of being fully accredited and making Adequate Yearly Progress through the No Child Left Behind Act, something that has yet to happen.
“Early indicators look like we’ve made progress,“ he said. “I think [the results will] indicate that we’ve made progress towards AYP. I’m confident that it will be reached in the near future and our students will do an outstanding job academically.“
As for the thing he’s most proud of, Massie said he was pleased to start an in-depth look into career and technical education.
“I’m pleased that we were able to start a movement to enhance career and technical education in Orange County,“ he said. “I would love to see that come to fruition and find a facility.“
Massie said during his months as superintendent, the school system has become a more efficient operation, one that is not as top-heavy in administration and one with improved communication, something that still needs some work.
“I’ve tried my best to do this job with integrity, model appropriate behavior and develop a family-like relationship between the school board, the community and the schools. There’s a side of me that wishes I could stay here for years but it’s time for me to retire. I’m going to miss this county. I would love to see the AYP through. On a personal side, I’m sorry to be leaving the many friends [my wife and I] have made.“
Meanwhile, as he hands over the reigns to Orange County’s third superintendent in the last 12 months, Massie is confident that the new superintendent, Dr. Robert P. “Bob” Grimesey, Jr., will do an excellent job.
“Dr. Grimesey is a friend of mine that I’ve known for nine years,“ he said. “He’s an outstanding person and will do a good job as the superintendent of Orange County Public Schools. I’m confident that he will lead the division with integrity and will work with the school board to ensure that students achieve to the maximum extent possible. I’ve offered my services to him in the future should he ask or need advice. He can certainly handle this position.“
As for Massie, he will has plans to sell his home in Buckingham County and move to the Richmond area in order to be a daily presence in his seven year-old grandson’s life.
“I’m going to live life a day at a time and take whatever happens day-to-day,“ he said. “I’m going to make it a point to stay in contact with the people I’ve met here. I plan to come back to some football games this fall and see people then.“
Massie said he is appreciative of the time that he has spent here.
“I’m a better person for having been in Orange County for these months,“ he said. “This has been such a positive, warm experience. I just want to say [to the people I’ve worked with] that I will miss them greatly and I leave them with my warmest best wishes always.“