Published: June 25, 2009 09:17 pm      

FALLS SCHOOLS: Keeping it in the family

School board makes Bianco’s hiring official

The Niagara Falls City School District didn’t look far to find its next superintendent.

Cynthia A. Bianco, the sister of former superintendent Carmen Granto, was hired to the permanent position Thursday night — the first woman to hold the district’s top job.

With her mother sitting in the front row and several other family members and well-wishers looking on, Bianco fought back tears and thanked the school board for helping her fulfill a “lifetime goal.” Afterward, she received a thunderous round of applause and bouquets of roses from her two young grandsons.

“This is a really good school district, in fact, it is a great school district and there is nowhere else I would rather be,” she said. “I want you to know that there are three important things in my life: my faith, my family and friends and my work. ... I have been very blessed to spend a lifetime doing what I love to do — working on behalf of children and their education.”

Bianco, 65, has served in various capacities in her 43 years with the district, starting as an English teacher and eventually moving up to assistant to the superintendent, deputy superintendent. Her hiring to the permanent position has been anticipated since Granto’s departure Dec. 31. She was the only candidate seriously considered as the board didn’t interview any other applicants.

According to board President Robert Kazeangin Jr., the district received five resumes for the position, which it reviewed, but none of the applicants were considered to be as well-qualified as Bianco.

“Mrs. Bianco has been serving as interim superintendent since January,” Kazeangin said. “In that time, the board has evaluated her work and is pleased. Scores are up, the organization has enjoyed stability, and she has proven herself to be a skillful, dedicated, and professional leader.”

Kazeangin added Bianco is a product of the district’s “grow your own” program.

“We promote from within whenever possible to ensure stability and to put people in key roles who truly know and understand the community.”

The school board’s senior member, however, spoke out against the search process that led to Bianco’s hiring.

“I am personally disappointed in that I would preferred to have a comprehensive superintendent search that would have included personal interviews for this most important decision,” said Don King, who has had a hand in hiring the past four Falls school superintendents.

King added, “Because of our unique school leadership family ties, it would have been in the best interest of the new superintendent to be leaving no speculation that she could compete with nation-wide aspiring superintendents, successfully.”

Despite his reservations, King said he believes Bianco has the credentials to lead the district and joined his colleagues in the unanimous vote.

Nobody else on the board spoke out against the hiring process.

Being Granto’s sister has led to questions among some in the community of whether Bianco was given special treatment and is truly the most qualified to run the district, which has in the past been accused of nepotism. Bianco understands those criticisms but points out she’s worked hard on her own to get where she has.

“I would like to be judged by the work I’ve done and I think my work speaks for itself,” she said.

Board member Christopher Brown said he wasn’t concerned about the hiring process or the perception of nepotism.

“I think at the end of the day, the board knows we have the right person for the job,” he said. “Obviously, the situation is unique but it’s very difficult to hold somebody back for that reason who has earned her own way.”

Bianco’s permanent appointment, which takes effect July 1, was an addendum to a lengthy list of personnel moves approved Thursday in preparation for the new fiscal year. In her final meeting, longtime board member Jeanette Stypa was the first to move Bianco’s appointment.

“This is the best thing I can say, for my last meeting, to be able to vote for Cynthia,” Stypa said. “It’s well deserved.”

The three-year contract will earn Bianco an annual base salary of $155,000. She had been making $131,000 as interim superintendent. Granto had been making about $129,000 annually in base salary but had numerous perks such as paid days for consulting work that isn’t present in Bianco’s contract.

Kazeangin added Bianco’s benefit package will remain the same.

In addition to her mother, Bianco’s husband, two sons, daughter, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were in the crowd for support. Granto was not in attendance but Bianco said she received a congratulatory call from her big brother.

Following her appointment, Bianco took the time to personally acknowledge her family and each of the school board members individually.

“I clearly recognize that no one of us is stronger than all of us — board, community, staff and students — working together,” she said. “Our shared vision and clear goals will help us to fulfill our mission of Learning for All ... Whatever it Takes.”