The job of a superintendent is to firstly, “improve learning for all kids” and secondly, “solve interesting problems” according to Dr. Richard Mextorf. After 40 years in education, 12 years as a music teacher, six years as a principal, and 22 total years as a superintendent, Dr. Mextorf plans to retire on June 30. The same day, he and his wife are welcoming another grandchild to the family. Nine of those 22 years, Dr. Mextorf spent with the Hamburg Area School District, and “to end here has been the blessing of [his] lifetime. Previously, he worked for seven years at Loyalsack, one and a half years at State Township, and four years at Grove City. Dr. Mextorf was very happy in Grove City, even thinking he would retire there, but he lived so far away from his children and grandchildren. After hearing about the position open in Hamburg, he interviewed and swiftly took the job, now closer to his family. Upon retiring, that will be his priority, family and to make up for all the time he missed out on spending with them.
In his years as superintendent of Hamburg, he is “never off the clock,” and constantly thinking and working toward change. Change in schools is a long and hard process, but Dr. Mextorf has his mind set on giving kids choices and customizing the learning process. In his mind, “everybody has skills, gifts, interests, abilities” and they should all be explored. Students should improve what they are good at and become great, while students should also nourish their interests and allow them to become passions. He believes that students should feel comfortable in their environment, as well as teachers. This is one of the reasons the Hamburg Area High School has flexible seating with sofas, yoga balls, stools, and more. Dr. Mextorf looks at schools as not only a place for standard education to be tested but also a place for students to become amazing people, and learn respect, empathy, compassion, and responsibility.
Dr. Mextorf enjoys interacting with students. One of the things he loves about Hamburg is the fact that we host so many student events. Dr. Mextorf has performed on the guitar at the High School’s Java Jams and had students ask to perform with him before. Some students still call him the “magic milkman” due to the odd way he used to open their milk cartons in elementary school. These opportunities to interact and share memorable experiences with students are one of the many reasons Dr. Mextorf enjoys this job.
In addition to Dr. Mextorf making history at Hamburg by being superintendent, he has also done quite a bit for the music department. Mrs. Jackson recalls that he led a quartet called the “barbershop quartet from 2016 to 2019.” However, that is not all in the 2020-2021 school year, in a time of need, Dr. Mextorf stepped up and co-directed the musical Annie with Mrs. Jackson. The choir teacher Mrs. Jackson provides that “[Dr. Mextorf] is really really passionate about the arts.” In fact he even wrote a rationale called “Why We Need the Arts Now More than Ever.” A quote from this rationale is used in all of the Hamburg concert programs, as well as the mention that Dr. Mextorf is an Honorary Tri-M member with specialties in voice and trumpet.
Moving forward Dr. Richard Mextorf hopes that the Hamburg Area School District continues with the customization model of education and continues to improve the school lives of students. Dr. Mextorf truly loves his job, and just as he believes he is blessed to be ending it at HASD, I believe we are blessed to have had such a great superintendent stick with us for so long.
