The school year is still more than a month away, but already one official is gearing up for his new position.

After years as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in Miami, Alberto Rodriguez threw in the beach towel for snow-shoes. Rodriguez began his new position as the superintendent of Amherst-Pelham regional schools this month. He says he took the job because he saw the potential for growth in a community that is deeply committed to education.

"The area has all the ingredients to really be a model school district for the rest of the country," said Rodriguez.

But he says there are areas he wants to improve.

"These are good schools and they have good teachers. What I'm looking at more than anything is to take it to the next level, to where our students can not only apply to UMass, but apply to Harvard and Yale," said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez says the last year has been tough, with interim superintendents and 55 positions cut. And while he wants to move forward, he sees this year's budget just as challenging as last year's.

"We need to start preparing the community for an override. If not I will be asking for principals to come up with their plans as far as how they will cut money and how that educational program will look like," said Rodriguez.