William Clark isn't too fond of the word "I."

Ask the new superintendent of Manheim Central School District what his goals are, and he'll tell you his views are irrelevant.

Instead, Clark, 44, likes to talk about what "we" need to do — "we" being school board members, administrators, teachers, students and community members.

In the coming months, Clark plans to meet with all those groups and pick people's brains about what's good, bad or otherwise about Manheim Central.

Only then — probably in summer — will he and the school board chart a course for the district.

It's this consensus-building approach that likely will serve Clark well in a district that's had more than its share of upheaval of late.

Eleven Manheim Central administrators, including former superintendent Carol Saylor, have left the district in the past year.

The exodus began after the school board in December 2008 approved a controversial pay increase for administrators that boosted some salaries by as much as 33 percent.

Public outrage over that $164,000 expenditure during a recession swept five new school board members into office in December.

Now, into this unsettled environment steps Clark.

"My challenge is to establish collegiality," said the former superintendent of Milton Area School District, who started his new job Jan. 25.

"I think that's critical. I'm always seeking input into decisions that will be made and getting different people's vantage points, always seeking feedback and making decisions that are best for kids."

Clark said he was attracted to the Manheim Central job, which pays $140,0000 a year, because of the district's strong academic record and its staff, from administrators down to secretaries.

"I've got great people to work with, and people have been very welcoming, and that's very refreshing," he said.

The fact that Manheim has one of the best football teams in the state also wasn't lost on Clark, an avid college football fan partial to his alma mater, Penn State.

After earning his bachelor's degree at Penn State in secondary math education, Clark received a master's in educational administration from Shippensburg University and a doctorate from Penn State.

He taught mathematics at a vocational-technical school in Chambersburg from 1987 to 1992 before moving into school administration.

Clark then held several principal's positions at St. Mary's Area School District from 1992 to 1999 before being named the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

In 2004, he took the superintendent's job in Milton, a district north of Lewisburg with an enrollment of about 2,300 students, compared with 3,000 in Manheim Central.

Milton has about twice as many students from low-income families as Manheim Central and a larger Hispanic population.

It also has a weaker tax base and a smaller budget — $26 million versus $42 million.

A mill of taxes in Milton generates about $130,000 in revenue, Clark said, compared with $1.5 million in Manheim Central.

During Clark's tenure, Milton implemented a full-day kindergarten program, restructured its curriculum districtwide and restarted a shuttered alternative high school program that it expanded to the middle school.

Clark said it was difficult to leave his comfort zone in Milton, although the move brought him closer to family members in Harrisburg.

"At the same time, I don't like getting in a rut, and change is good," he said. "I'm a firm believer in that which challenges you makes you stronger. I adhere to that."

Among his first challenges will be to hire a new principal at Manheim Central High School and determine whether the district should fill its vacant chief financial officer post or restructure that job.

Clark said it's "really cool" how the Manheim community supports its athletic teams with hand-made signs dotting borough streets before games and matches, and he's found district residents to be "very caring and compassionate."

He chuckles that, amid the words of support he's heard, several people have wished him "good luck."

Clark plans to move to Manheim in the next couple of weeks with his wife, Gina; their two daughters, ages 10 and 6; and their 15-month-old son.

All his children will attend Manheim schools, Clark said.

"From what I've seen of the school staff, I've been very impressed," he said. "I'm excited to have my kids in the district. I did that in Milton, and it's a definite benefit."

In his first two weeks on the job, Clark has been visiting every classroom at every Manheim Central school. He's also begun meeting with school board members as part of his entry plan.

That plan will include sitting down with about 18 top administrators and dozens of teachers, community members and students for frank discussions about the district.

Among the questions Clark will ask: What is the best thing about the school district? What is the worst thing? What needs to be changed and why? What is the most critical issue you see?

Clark conducted the same type of interviews in Milton and ended up talking to 164 people before he and the school board established a list of priorities for the district.

He hopes to conduct at least as many interviews here and announce the district's priorities by the summer.

"I'd like to start the school year with a list of goals we've developed as a collective group and say, 'OK. Let's go,'" Clark said.

In what direction does he think the district should move in the coming months and years?

"I don't think that's relevant," Clark said. "I think what is relevant is what is here that people want to do and making that a united vision, as opposed to my vision.

"I just want to do what will allow the district to continue to succeed at all levels."

bwallace@lnpnews.com