New superintendent settles in
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Superintendent of Schools Nina Schlikin PHOTO/ANGELA GREINER

Hudson - Nina Schlikin, the new superintendent of the Hudson School District, is also now an official homeowner and resident of the town.

"I just love it here," Schlikin said.

She believes that it is essential that a superintendent live in the community where he or she works, so prior to coming to Hudson, Schlikin did extensive research about the town and the school district to discover whether it was the right fit for her.

She found that the school system and the community support for the school on paper was fantastic, which made the Hudson position the only one she applied for, she said.

"After a day-long interview," Schlikin said, "I found that, yes, they do put their money where their mouths are."

Schlikin admitted that she has never been described as traditional. Her experience started in the classroom, where she challenged the traditional reading system; instead she implemented a more literary and interest-based individualized reading curriculum paced specifically for each student.

Her desire to give children the most optimal education drove Schlikin to earn advanced degrees and positions as principal, director of writing and reading for the state, assistant superintendent and curriculum director. Yet she still felt that she wanted to have more impact on what she thought was best for students.

"As superintendent, the buck stops here," Schlikin said. "My purpose is kids, and they come first."

Her goal as a superintendent is to enable and empower her faculty. She also believes that it is her job to eliminate as many barriers as possible that stand in the way of a principal's vision, and this will in turn allow the principals to do the same to support each teacher's vision.

Schlikin said that she loved the community service and other leading-edge programs that former Superintendent Dr. Sheldon Berman initiated.

"I want to support, encourage and maintain the programs that are in place and then take it to the next level," Schlikin said.

With only a little over a week in the community, Schlikin has been surprised by comments she has heard while running errands in the community about people moving to the area just for the school system.

She was also recently pleased after attending a statewide conference to hear Hudson referred to as "the cutting-edge school in the state."

"It is a phenomenal place to be and if I were a parent [of school-age children] I would want my children to be in this district," Schlikin said. "It is that good."

She said she was even trying to convince her daughter to move to the area so her grandchildren would attend Hudson schools.

Schlikin was the first child born in an Austrian displacement camp for refugees from the Ukraine. Her family found their way to the United States after being sponsored by a church in Maine. At 9 years old, Schlikin was comfortably settled in Maine and could speak enough English to be allowed to start kindergarten. Schlikin explained that at that time children had to speak English to attend school. She remained a resident of Maine until moving to Hudson.

Schlikin has two children and five grandchildren still in Maine. She plans to stay in touch through monthly visits.

"My grandchildren are having 'Grammy withdrawals' and I am having grandchildren withdrawal," Schlikin said.

She appreciates her new community, though.

"I have been so struck by the friendliness and warmth of the community," she said "How could you not love it?"