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NORFOLK - Don LeClerc, the new superintendent of the elementary schools, was brought on board as a community builder and is striving toward just that.

LeClerc, 55, who had been principal for four years of the 4-to-6-grade Village School in the Marblehead school system he worked in for three decades, says his priority in Norfolk has been to get to know the school system and town. And students.

As he wanders school hallways and classes, the budding scholars call him the "cool tie guy" for his knack of wearing stand-out neckties.

"My No. 1 goal is community outreach, getting to know parents better, letting them know we are open here," LeClerc said, mentioning a new communication system with parents via phones and e-mail. "We are just trying to make things a little more user-friendly.

"It has always been my forte to connect with people and actively bring my whole community into the schools. I think that is the best way to meet the needs of students and parents," said LeClerc, adding that he enjoys the interaction part. "My goal has not been to come in and change everything but to see what works most efficiently and see what can be tweaked." Returning to a longstanding partnership with the town library that was severed due to budget reductions a few years back is possible.

"We're still keeping all options open now," LeClerc said.

Now that he has his feet wet, the superintendent said he is exploring options to help the school district maintain its programs and move forward in the face of money restrictions that are only expected to worsen next budget year.

That includes schooling more special education students in-house instead of in costly out-of-district programs. The move may require the school administration to relocate its offices to town hall.

"Certainly my biggest challenge is the fiscal constraints," LeClerc said, noting he initially hoped to restore health and Spanish programs that have been cut, along with an assistant principal post this year. "We're certainly not in a position to add at this point. I don't have the flexibility anymore. We are really down to the bare bones."

To save any significant money, what are favorable class sizes in the low 20s may have to rise, he acknowledged.

The implementation of a bus fee this school year has gone fairly smoothly, though projections have it bringing in about $20,000 less than expected.

LeClerc points out the $90 fee comes out to a mere 50 cents a day when many districts have bus fees running in the hundreds of dollars.

"We want to keep it manageable for everyone," he said of prospects of a hike for next school year. "It is going to come down to how much my hands are tied."

"I think he is doing a great job," school committee Vice Chairwoman Marie Zullo said. "He is walking into a situation that has a lot of challenges. So far he has been very well-received. He is working very well with the board of selectmen and town administrator." During his tenure in Marblehead, LeClerc is credited with bringing a significantly underperforming school up to being the highest performing school in the district and with leading successful school reorganizations.

"It had some pretty substantial internal problems," with serious disagreements between staff and parents, LeClerc said. "We collaborated, utilizing the strengths I knew were there, and just let them blossom."

LeClerc was also able to fix up the Village School building through community support and volunteers. Some students had been taught in basements and what resembled trucking containers.

School committee Chairman Ross Gilleland said he was attracted to LeClerc's ability to get the community involved and his use of resources.

"The committee feels Donnie has a lot to offer the district," Gilleland said. "His demonstrated ability to bring the community together around the schools, and to create a sense of community within the schools, will help Norfolk continue to move forward - especially during what will be difficult fiscal times."

Zullo, who chaired the superintendent search committee, singled out LeClerc's ability to hire and develop appropriate staff.

LeClerc has always been physically active, having played a couple of years in a semi-pro rugby league in Boston and coached various sports at different levels. It was a "perfect match," he says, to become a physical education teacher, which he was for 22 years - mostly for elementary grades. He was a semifinalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. He then became a principal for 11 years initially at a kindergarten to grade 4 school.

"My true passion and love has been at the elementary level," LeClerc said, adding of becoming a superintendent, "it always has been a dream of mine."

Norfolk seemed like a "beautiful place to finish off a career," he said.

"It was a difficult transition, leaving the place I have lived and worked for 32 years," LeClerc said of Marblehead. However, Norfolk has been "great how they embraced me and made the transition very pleasant for me. They are very committed to students and the schools."

LeClerc replaced Chris Augusta-Scott, who left after four years to oversee Lowell schools.

Holder of a master's degree in administration from Salem State College, he is a native of Salem, where he still has a home. LeClerc and his wife, who also have places in Franklin and New Hampshire, have three children and enjoy boating, fishing, and skiing.