Being the Superintendent of a school district is no easy task, but Mr. Lars Clemensen embraces the role. Having grown up in Hampton Bays, Mr. Clemensen works hard to continuously make this district a better place.
The many roles Mr. Clemensen has taken on throughout his life makes it clear that he is no stranger to being a community leader. Just a few include Legislative Assistant for both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, the Superintendent of Hampton Bays School District, and most recently, the President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS). When asked which of these roles was his favorite, Mr. Clemensen answered, “The role that has been my favorite is President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.” His election as president has allowed him to have an even larger impact on the organization as a whole.
Mr. Clemensen is very passionate about being able to represent the Hampton Bays School District at such a high level and see other districts’ success stories. Learning from schools all over New York, Mr. Clemensen does his best to bring what he learns back home and find ways to implement it here at Hampton Bays.
Mr. Clemensen became involved with the NYSCOSS when he first became a superintendent.. When Mr.Clemensen first chose to be a part of NYSCOSS, he was told that he would be a great fit as a leader in the organization and he had the potential to help better NYSCOSS. Mr. Clemensen’s first leadership role within the organization was treasurer, and following that, vice president. After that he became a presidential nominee, won the election, and is currently the president. While his term is only one year, Mr. Clemensen has a lot planned and is excited to continue to learn more. Once he finishes his term as president, he then becomes a member of the “past president” group, where he will still attend conferences and bring change to the Hampton Bays School District and New York education state-wide.
Each year, NYSCOSS holds two major conferences, the Fall Leadership Summit, and the Winter Institute and Lobby Day in March. For the Fall Leadership Summit that occurred this past September, Mr. Clemensen invited the Hampton Bays High School Jazz Band and Select Choir to perform. The groups combined to present joyful and entertaining performances of “September”, “What a Wonderful World” and “New York, New York.” Mr. Clemensen also invited the Hampton Bays Culinary Department to make crepes that were shared at the convention portion of the conference. To continue to showcase Hampton Bays students, Mr. Clemensen wishes to bring the participants of the “My Story” project to showcase their stories at the upcoming Winter Institute and Lobby Day.
Mr. Clemensen is dedicated to making the Hampton Bays School District and community a better place despite challenges it may face. As enrollment is going down, Mr. Clemensen sees an opportunity to have teachers add new courses. He hopes to continue to have the district offer many more electives geared towards personal interests such as Culinary and Marine Biology, to give students options beyond the core courses that they need to graduate. Mr. Clemensen states he would “love to add classes involved with computers and graphics and broadcasting.” He also wants to continue the addition of new sports such as boys volleyball, which had its first season this school year.
Mr. Clemensen understands the value of helping students find and develop their interests. Currently, he is obtaining his doctoral degree in education at Long Island University, and hopes complete his dissertation in the area of high school students’ readiness for their future careers. He wants children to be prepared and passionate for what they want to do in college stating that, “Then when you graduate, and start to talk to a college interviewer, you’re going to blow them away.”
Originally from Hampton Bays, Mr. Clemensen takes much pride in what he has done here in his hometown. Now as his children attend Hampton Bays, he hopes to continue to bring change and make the town a better place for not only his children, but all children in our school district.
