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Brian Puffer
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In one of his first personnel moves as the new school superintendent, Scot Graden last week named his successor as director of Saline Community Education.
Brian Puffer, a recreation and enrichment specialist who has been with Community Education since 1999, will take over the reins of the department.
"Brian brings a certain calm and should make for a seamless transition," Graden said. "In the years he has been with us, he's shown that he is respected by the staff and is a quiet leader."
Puffer joined Saline Community Education in 1999 as a recreation supervisor. In July 2004, he was promoted to recreation and enrichment specialist, overseeing a wide range of programs.
A graduate of Ferris State University with a degree in recreation leadership and management, Puffer spearheaded the creation of a popular adult flag football league, a junior tackle league, and a middle school tennis team, among other initiatives.
Graden said he was impressed with Puffer's efforts.
"He was able to get off the ground junior tackle football, which was a difficult program to launch," Graden said. "He pulled it off and interest in the league has been strong."
Puffer said as director he plans to continue forging feeder programs at the middle school level for high school athletic teams.
"I'm excited about the challenges in front of us," Puffer said. "I'm following in some pretty big footsteps."
Graden, who ran Community Education for seven years, said he has asked Puffer to focus on restructuring the department's before- and after-school programs and to institute an improved system for managing the district's outdoor facilities.
Puffer also likely will be called on to be at the forefront of a campaign asking voters to renew a 0.85 recreation millage, known as CARES, which expires in 2010. The 10-year millage, passed in 2000, generates almost $1 million, much of which is funneled through Community Education to fund the Saline High School pool and theater, as well as numerous other Community Education programs.
"That's a huge issue," Puffer said. "If it doesn't pass, it would have a serious impact on community education."
Currently, however, Puffer's primary goal is to fill a number of positions and settle the department's personnel, which he would like to achieve by the end of May.
He said he also hopes to heighten the department's profile in the community.
"There are a lot of things that are run through Community Education that people don't even realize," said Puffer, pointing to driver's education as an example.
Community Education's overall mission will not change, he said.
"We want to keep people in Saline instead of going to other communities for recreational opportunities," he said.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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