Between his career with New Directions and board service, he has given 47 years to the two-campus district and its surrounding communities.

As a child growing up in Cheyenne, Wyo., it’s been neither a career nor locale he ever envisioned. However, his enrollment at New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College exposed him to the eastern U.S. – and provided an unexpected chance to explore a career.

“I spent two semesters working at a K-8 school in Jersey City, (N.J.),” Sande explains. “It had 2,000 students – and for a kid from Wyoming, it was quite an eye-opener.”

For the first time, Sande was exposed to many of the problems which inner-city youth combat. From poverty to crime to other social determinants of health, he saw the struggles they endured and barriers they had to overcome. Far too many, he observed, could not.

Retiring board member Brad Sande and his therapy dog, Tanner, bring a smile to students faces on the Randolph Academy playground.

After earning his degree in English, Sande’s interest in business and industry remained, along with an adventurous side which lured him to the equally unanticipated Anchorage, Alaska. Yet, shortly after arriving, he found himself accepting a job at a children’s home in the region.

He made another unexpected discovery in Alaska: Barbara Lancaster. The teacher from Salamanca, N.Y., was visiting friends when she happened upon Brad. She liked him so much that she took a leave of absence from her job so she could remain in Anchorage a while longer.

Soon, however, she had to return or risk losing that job – and Sande had no intentions of losing her. They married in 1975, and, after three years in Anchorage, he followed her to Western New York. There he accepted a position as a unit supervisor at Randolph Children’s Home – the precursor to New Directions Youth & Family Services’ Randolph residential location. In 1982 he completed his master’s degree in Community Counseling at St. Bonaventure University, and after 10 years in social casework, he began development, foundation, and endowment work, which remained his focus until his retirement from New Directions in 2016.

In 1985, the Randolph Academy Union Free School District (UFSD) was established as a Special Act Public School District by the New York State Legislature. It was designed to educate youth-in-residence at the Randolph facility, and Sande would be appointed to its Board of Education by New Directions CEO James Coder in 1997.

“It really seems to have flown by, looking back,” Sande insists, assessing his 39-year career along with his 27 years on the board, roughly 16 of which he served as president.

As a Special Act District, the seven-member board includes five appointees from New Directions, along with two from the state commissioner of education – but that wasn’t always the case.

“It used to be all agency appointees, and that had the potential to compromise the education our students received,” explains Sande. “However, New Directions has never, ever required its board to ‘do their bidding.’ We’ve always been encouraged to do what we think is best for this school.”

Many changes have occurred over the years, including the number of special act districts which exist.

“There used to be 20, but today we’re one of just nine,” he says, calling it a testament to his board colleagues and the dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff they’ve been so fortunate to have. “They believe in the mission and – despite all our challenges – I’ve never doubted their intentions.”

Their success, he says, can be found in their willingness to evolve and advocate. They’ve never taken their existence for granted, understanding how hard it is to survive political and economic change. That mentality gave rise to some powerful new initiatives, as well as a full-scale paradigm shift.

“We’ve always approached problems with a sense of creativity,” Sande attests. “(We’d say,) let’s find a solution. Let’s find something that works.”

That gave rise in 2001 to Normative Culture, a joint project between the Academy and New Directions, which specifies and exhibits cultural norms for the students and staff alike to model and promote.

“We scoured the nation for examples as we researched what was best for us,” he says. “It’s in essence the same program we began back then, with the obvious tweaks over time to make it even better.”

Sande then points to the acquisition of the former Hopevale UFSD in Hamburg in 2011 to create the current district footprint. The Hopevale residential program was set to be closed by the state, but Randolph’s then-Superintendent Lori DeCarlo, along with Hopevale Superintendent Cynthia Stachowski and the Academy Board of Education, felt there was a chance of preserving the day school program, so they appealed to the department of education.

“It still amazes me that we were able to get legislation written, passed and signed by the governor in just six months,” Sande laughs. “That’s certainly not the norm for our state.”

That expansion had a significant impact on how Randolph Academy was viewed, internally and externally, in addition to doubling its capacity, he affirms.

Then, in 2015, the district incorporated restorative justice into its operations. A sociological model which builds and strengthens relationships and communities, restorative practices engage students and staff daily in structured, open communication – called circle time. It’s designed to get participants comfortable with talking about events and relationships within and outside of school.

Sande believes that evolution, along with sound fiscal management and support from management consultant David DiTanna, is why Randolph Academy has been so successful, while others have failed.

“(Others) faced fiscal and regulatory pressures they couldn’t withstand. We managed to withstand and even embrace them,” he says. “Our team learned how to manage and survive and remain quite strong.”

He also believes Randolph Academy’s history and track record are the keys to future success.

“For 20 years, we’ve responded to budget challenges and served students from across the state – some from as far as Westchester County, New York City and Long Island, who often become some of our best success stories. We need to continue pressing our case for viability and funding,” he counsels. “Those two threats are never going away – and those who advocate most usually do the best.”

It is that same history which the district will miss most, says current Superintendent Danielle Cook.

“Brad has stood by the district in challenging and celebratory times. His attention to detail and willingness to lead have been among his greatest assets – and our greatest fortunes,” Dr. Cook attests. “However, it is his deep understanding and commitment to our student population that impresses us most. He often shares success stories of students who have been here in the past. His knowledge of the history that has formed what Randolph Academy is today will be greatly missed. We thank him for his unwavering commitment and service to our district.”

His board colleagues will also miss his contributions, even though he’s positioned them well for continued success.

“When Brad was asked to serve as president of Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES Board of Education and felt he shouldn’t serve as president of both, I was asked to move up from vice president,” recalls current board president Mary Myers. “Boy, did I worry if I could fill his ‘big shoes.’ Luckily, he was a great teacher as I learned the ropes. His knowledge of our history and wise counsel have helped us all so much. He will be missed, but we know he is ready to settle in and enjoy his family.”

He is, indeed. Sande has reached a point in life where he and Barbara can enjoy the fruits of their labors. Chief among those are their grandchildren: one in Chicago, two in Boulder, Colo., and four in Rochester, N.Y. – including a set of triplets they babysit weekly. While he’s ready to fully embrace this next stage, he takes considerable pride in the work and teams he’s been part of throughout his career.

“When I think of everything we’ve been through – the ups and the downs – it’s been one of the most worthwhile things I’ve done in my entire life,” he reflects.

And to those who come next, he offers this valuable perspective.

“We’re in the business of improving lives. In some cases, it’s the business of saving them,” he advises. “The youngsters we help don’t have a lot of resources. A great many have succeeded because of the opportunities and support we have provided. That’s incredibly motivating, rewarding, and humbling…and it should allow anyone to look back on their career with pride and satisfaction.”