By Mark Boshnack

Staff Writer

A former area school administrator will be returning to the field after his appointment Tuesday as Sidney Middle School principal.

James B. Waters, 54, of Guilford, was appointed to start July 1 during the regular meeting of the Sidney Central School Board of Education. He will replace Allen Bilofsky, who is retiring effective June 30.

Bilofsky made $79,929 this year.

The salary for the first year of Waters’ three-year probationary period is $80,000, Superintendent Sandra Cooper said.

"It was nice to get a candidate with experience," she said.

Waters was Norwich High School principal from 1988-2001.

"I felt like the work I did was complete," he said of when he decided to devote his attention to his Bainbridge family business, Pine Ridge Groceries, which he bought in 1999.

But after selling that in 2006, he decided to return to education, first as a substitute teacher.

He was employed as a temporary English teacher at Sidney High School when the opening came up this spring, he said.

"I think it will work out well," he said. "I am impressed with what (Cooper) is trying to do" in forming an administrative staff with a K-12 approach.

With more than 25 years experience in education, he said, he hopes to build a team of veteran teachers and new staff members that he will help mentor. He has been married to his wife, Brenda, for 30 years and has three grown children.

Waters’ other experience was at Bainbridge-Guilford Central School. It includes: 1983-88, principal, Jr./Sr. High; 1979-83, dean of students; 1977-83, English teacher.