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Superintendent Jay Sabatino hands out diplomas at LCHS' 2009 commencement. He is retiring after six years in the district.
Photo by Paul Cook |
Sabatino retires after six years as District 117's chief administrator
 Superintendent Jay Sabatino pretty much never calls it quits – even when retirement is upon him. Evidence of this lies in the fact that Sabatino actually retired last year but continued to serve as the interim superintendent for District 117 this year. Next year, when principals Jim McKay and Mike Nekritz take over as co-superintendents, Sabatino will be available to advise them when necessary.
Sabatino officially ends his six-year stint as superintendent this summer. He says the largest task he faced during his tenure was opening LCHS in the fall of 2004. Sabatino then headed the efforts to create equitability between the two high schools, so the district is able to offer students a viable education whether they are Sequoits or Eagles. This was accomplished by leading faculty members at both schools as they collaborated to revamp curriculum maps and implement common and formative assessments.
Sabatino, whose administrative history includes a principalship in Westmont and a superintendent position in Mt. Vernon, is not ready to exit the world of education just yet. He has toyed with the idea of expanding his course load as an instructor for Aurora University or taking on an interim superintendent position. However, most likely he will take classes to obtain his elementary education certification and work in the city, where he says, “Stats show the deck is stacked against the kids,” particularly the males. Sabatino was inspired to take this route by Dr. Jesse W. Jackson III, author of the book College or Prison: The Male Crisis of the 21st Century. Sabatino and his wife have discussed teaching in the city together after she retires from Allendale Association.
Before life gets too busy again for Sabatino, he plans to take some time off over the summer – except for those two Aurora University classes he’s teaching. He expects a visit from family members in July and is planning a trip to New York to visit more family in August.
The words of advice he wishes to share with all students as he departs: “Get involved sooner.” |
