Bill O’Flanagan is leaving after four years as The Liberty School’s head of school.
O’Flanagan, 67, is headed for Orchard Friends School in Riverton, New Jersey.
Instead of overseeing two dozen gifted, dyslexic or “twice exceptional” students at Liberty School, O’Flanagan, who has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, will oversee the education of bright youngsters struggling with complex learning challenges, including autism, Tourette Syndrome or emotional challenges.
“I promised them five years,” he said. “But we’ll see.”
Leaving the door ajar – that is a hint he could hang around longer. He doesn’t lack a role model.
O’Flanagan’s father retired at age 79 after 51 years as assistant district attorney in Boston.
“My dad said he had pulled the plug too soon,” O’Flanagan said. “Since we’re both quietly competitive, maybe I’ll try to stay beyond age 79.”
Orchard Friends School will be a return to roots, so to speak. Before Liberty School, he spent 20 years as head of Pathway School in West Norriton, Pennsylvania, a residential facility with enrollment from across the country. There, he worked with children ages 6 to 21 with deep psychological as well as speech and language challenges.
The Liberty School was founded by Joyce Bilgrav, the mother of four, all of whom are gifted and dyslexic. The school is the third such institution founded by her. She also has started four summer camps for dyslexic youngsters.
Ken Tallman, in the products department of Mercury, the credit- and debit-card processing firm, said the company is impressed enough with the effort that O’Flanagan leads to funnel corporate donations to the school.
“Last year, we made a couple of small donations, and this year the school was one of our marquee nonprofits,” said Tallman, a member of the Mercury Gives Committee. “Several of our employees donate some of the 20 hours of company time they’re allowed to help nonprofits to The Liberty School.”
O’Flanagan will be succeeded as head of school by Christian Holmen, currently employed there as a math, English and film teacher.
O’Flanagan said his tenure has been rewarding.
“Getting to know the kids and seeing their literacy skills grow is satisfying,” he said. “They learn that they’re smart even if they have trouble with language.”
Dyslexia isn’t automatically a stumbling block, he said. He referred to the collection of dyslexia “Hall of Fame” photos in sight as one mounts the stairs to The Liberty School.
Among prominent people who have overcome dyslexia to reach career pinnacles, the visitor sees photos of Gov. John Hickenlooper, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, Durango hotel owner Rod Barker, Durango Police Chief Jim Spratlen and renowned photographer Claude Steelman.
“These people are role models,” O’Flanagan said. “Dyslexia is no ceiling if you’ve got the right stuff.”
daler@duangoherald.com
