During his first morning as superintendent of the Upper Perkiomen School District, Allyn Roche spoke to a member of district's food services department, participated in interview panels and knocked on the office doors of administrative employees. On Monday, Roche – who kicked off a five year contract in the position – also met with administrators from the curriculum and instruction, technology, pupil services/special education and the facilities departments, as well as the business office.

            Later in the week, he expects to visit the schools in the district and hopefully get an update on the construction and renovation projects.

            "It has been an action-packed day," he wrote in an email early Monday afternoon.

            Roche, who described his leadership style as "act driven", hopes to lead from the middle. "I want to be a team member, so the district can do things together," he said.

            The new superintendent said he plans to make himself available to the public by being visible in the classroom and the community at large. He also expects to rely on the institutional knowledge and experience of current administrators.

            "I told them that my door will always be open," the new superintendent said. "I will always listen to the administrators and staff. The people here are fantastic. My goal is to support them and lead them where I can."

            In April, the school board voted unanimously to appoint Roche – a former assistant superintendent at Spring-Ford – to succeed Alexis McGloin. Following the vote, board President Kerry Drake described the new lead administrator as calm, measured, collaborative as well as fact and data oriented. 

            "I feel like he's the kind of person who believes the best ideas should prevail," Drake said after the April 11 regular meeting. "I believe he reflects this board in that manner." 

            Roche, who lives in the Quakertown Community School district with his wife Corey and their three children, says he will work hard to affirm the board's decision. The administrator, a 1990 graduate of West Essex High School in North Caldwell, N.J., wants to make sure the members and, the community at large, are proud of him.

            The new superintendent said that when he makes a mistake, he will own it. According to Roche, accountability is a big part of his new position.

            "When something goes wrong, I have the ultimate responsibility for it," he said. "I know there are going to be bumps in the road. I have to be supportive of our students and staff."

            Roche said he starts his new job with a solid understanding of Upper Perkiomen's operations. In May and June, he participated in interview processes to fill several vacant teaching positions. He also said Assistant Superintendent Andrea Farina and Douglas Kenwood, the district's new Director of Facilities and Operations, have kept him of abreast of the construction of the new middle school in Upper Hanover and the conversion of the former middle school to a 4^th and 5^th grade center. 

            According to the new superintendent, his top priorities over the next 60 days will be to make sure both facilities are completed in time for start of the 2019-20 season, and that all of the vacant teaching positions are filled.

            "I want everyone feeling good going into the Labor Day weekend," he said.

            Though the superintendent expressed confidence that both projects would be finished by Sept. 3, he said administrators have created a contingency plan in case completion of either is delayed.