Staci Puzio recently became the new supervisor of testing, research and evaluation for the Clarkston School district August 8.
According to Deputy Supervisor David Reschke, the supervisor’s responsibilities were shared by several people in recent years. Reschke said the decision to appoint someone to the supervisor position came in response to an adjustment in state regulation for testing, which now requires all grades 3-11 to undergo MEAP testing
‘There’s a lot of changes in our business and we really want somebody to help us focus on that,? said Reschke.
Puzio began working in the district in October 1995 as a math support person at Pine Knob Elementary. In 1998, she became the instructional math coordinator at Sashabaw Middle School and the district’s K-12 math coordinator.
In addition to her new responsibilities, Puzio asked to remain as math coordinator for grades K-5 for the remainder of the 2005-06 school year. Puzio said the district is piloting new math programs and adjusting the curriculum during the school year and she wanted to stay on to help oversee the changes.
Gerri Divine, the district’s secondary math coordinator, took over Puzio’s other math coordinator responsibilities, while Missy Butki took over as math specialist at Sashabaw Middle School.
Puzio worked previously as an administrator for district-wide tests such as the MEAP and AYP. As supervisor, Puzio will be able to facilitate the administration process as well as examine test results and which could better highlight what areas, if any, need improvement. Tests results may also help indicate if any students may need additional help.
‘It’s a lot to learn, but that’s a good thing,? said Puzio, who sees the new job as a welcome challenge.
The first big challenge of the new school year will be the first window for MEAP testing on Oct 3-21 for grades 3-9. Puzio said she expects the process to go well. After the MEAP results are in, Puzio said she will examine the data to see if any adjustments are needed in the curriculum of certain subjects. She will then pass the needed information along to the individual schools to help implement any changes.
Puzio grew up in St. Claire Shores and lived in Eastpointe before moving to Clarkston in 1999 with her husband Jason. The couple have a two-year-old son named Gabriel.
When not working, Puzio said she enjoys doing various activities through her church, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran, and cooking alongside Jason, who works as a chef for Grand Blanc schools.