Ripley Central School Superintendent William Caldwell was taken thoroughly by surprise when he was named Administrator of the Year by the Chautauqua County Association of Educational Office Professionals.

“I did not know I was going to be chosen,” said Caldwell of the award, which was given at the CCAEOP “bosses night” dinner May 19.

“It’s a pretty big honor,” Caldwell added.

The CCAEOP is an organization of educational secretaries and office personnel. It is the belief of the organization that “the quality of services rendered by the educational office professionals directly influences the effectiveness of service rendered by the educational institution as a whole.”

Caldwell was nominated for the award by his secretary, Vickie Mosier, who had written a nomination letter that she read at the dinner.

“The letter was very humbling,” Caldwell said. “That meant a lot more to me as I was standing there, listening to her read about the things she has noticed.”

In her nomination letter, Mosier emphasized that Caldwell is not only an excellent superintendent, but puts the person first, whether an employee or a student.

“Bill is a human being first and an administrator second,” she said. “He is an amazing superintendent, but, more importantly, he is a kindhearted, sympathetic, understanding human being.”

Mosier cited several examples of Caldwell’s concern for the employees. At the start of the pandemic, when so many things were uncertain, Caldwell was very concerned with making sure the employees got paid, she said.

“The question that I kept hearing him repeat, ‘Can I continue to pay my employees? These people need to be paid. Some of my folks live paycheck to paycheck.’ … He spoke with me several times concerning employees and their paychecks, worry covering every inch of his tired, worn face,” she said.

Caldwell was always aware of the needs employees faced outside of the school setting, Mosier said. She noted several examples, including one that involved her, where he focused on the personal concerns of his staff, saying ‘family comes first,'” she said.

“His concern is for the human being first and for the job, second.”

Caldwell also exhibits concern for the students, Mosier said.

“Recently a student was having serious problems at home. … So what does he do? He has me gather all of the materials needed to make slime. He rolled up his sleeves and together, with another student, they made slime,” she said.

Mosier said she has seen this concern for students on several occasions.

“I cannot tell you the number of times that I have peered into Bill’s office to find him on the floor speaking softly with a troubled student, reading a book or just sitting quietly for a moment,” she said. “These students always leave calmer and much happier than when they arrive.”

Mosier noted that the CCAEOP recently updated its Constitution and Purpose, stating that the organization will “promote continuous professional growth to all educational professionals to assist members in facing the challenges of their positions, to assist members with networking with colleagues countywide, to recognize members for outstanding dedication to their professions, and to develop leadership and team-building skills among the members.”

Caldwell said the CCAEOP has been dormant for a little while. The organization felt it was important to resume its activities at this point, he said. They present awards for Office Professional of the Year and Administrator of the Year, as well as giving two scholarships.

Since it was “bosses night,” Caldwell’s wife was not present at the dinner.

“She had no idea about it,” he said. “She was pretty excited when she came in and it (the award) was sitting on the counter.

Caldwell said receiving the award was a highpoint in his career.

“I was honored and thought it was a great asset to my career,” he said. “It means a lot to me, receiving this award.”