Herald-Sun Article

Below is an article written for the Herald-Sun about the new chancellor.  You can also read it at http://www.ncssm.edu/drupal/?q=news/new-chancellor-takes-helm-science-and-math.
 
New chancellor takes helm at Science and Math

By Matthew E. Milliken
The Herald-Sun

DURHAM - English majors, take note. One of your own has now become leader of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics.
Todd Roberts, 46, began working Monday as chancellor of Science and Math, a tuition-free, state-run residential high school for juniors and seniors that is one of 17 University of North Carolina system campuses. Although he has no formal science or math training, the Durham native says he has enough of an appreciation of the fields to lead the school.
"While I certainly couldn't go in and teach computational chemistry, I certainly understand the importance and the value [of] these courses and the type of education we offer students here at Science and Math," said Roberts, who was appointed chancellor by university governors in August.
Since then, Roberts has spent around nine days on campus during multiple visits. He has also been in regular contact with Tom Williams, the former Granville County public schools superintendent who has been serving as interim chancellor.
Williams will remain at Science and Math the rest of the week as Roberts picks up the reins as the fourth chancellor of the 30-year-old high school.
Roberts spent the past four years as superintendent of the Ann Arbor, Mich., public school system, which educates about 16,000 students.
"This obviously in size is a smaller scale ... and I think I'll be able to be more directly involved in the day-to-day of the school in working hopefully more closely with the faculty and staff and students," Roberts said.
The former English teacher would also like to continue the current cordial relations with Science and Math's neighbors, who have at times been suspicious of the school.
Roberts said that the $7 million Reynolds East building could begin construction almost as soon as the state appropriates funds for it. The mixed-use structure, labeled "Reynolds addition" in some plans and slated to go in the campus' southeast corner, is the first part of a projected Discovery Center expansion.
But it is not clear when funding might become available. Like other UNC institutions, Science and Math is preparing for a 10 percent cut to its 2011-12 budget, a potential loss of about $2 million. While Roberts' priority is to maintain academic excellence for students at the school and in its distance-learning programs, he did not sugarcoat the implications of a reduction of that size.
"It would definitely have an impact in what we can offer in terms of our academic program as well as the student life components that we have for the school," Roberts said.
He noted that the school does not charge tuition or fees, which other campuses have the option of raising to offset at least some of state funding cuts.
Roberts may fight cuts in part by reminding legislators that his school's mission involves more than educating its 700 on-campus students and 900 or so video-based students scattered across 21 counties. The new chancellor will continue Science and Math's endeavors to train North Carolina public school teachers.
"As the state looks at bolstering STEM education across the state, I think we clearly have a role to play in helping to do that," Roberts said, using an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
On a personal note, Roberts has moved into the school-furnished off-campus apartment once occupied by his predecessor. Gerald Boarman left this year after a decade in office to become head of a private Maryland school.
But Roberts' family will remain in Ann Arbor until next summer. That will keep their four children, who range in age from 3 to 8, from having to switch schools midyear. It will also allow the couple time to sell their home and Roberts' wife time to find work in Durham. Arleen Song is an obstetrician and gynecologist who has a University of Michigan faculty appointment.
For the chancellor, a Northern High School alumnus, his new job is literally a return to his birthplace -- the old Watts Hospital, which now houses the School of Science and Mathematics.
"It's hard to know exactly where that place was with all the time and renovations," Roberts said when asked if he had visited the spot where he was born. He intends to make his way to the old nursery over the coming weeks.
Roberts holds a bachelor's degree in English from Duke and master's and doctorate degrees in education from UNC Chapel Hill. He and his wife were both interested in returning to the Triangle in part because of health issues involving their parents.
As superintendent, Roberts was credited with bringing stability to an Ann Arbor district that was plagued with turbulent board meetings and also struggling to complete a new high school that was over budget and one year behind schedule.