DiLorenzo retires at the end of the school year

Outgoing superintendent praises staff, thanks the community, By Nancy Kriz CENTRAL VALLEY - When Monroe-Woodbury School District Superintendent Joseph DiLorenzo needs a break from the administrative routines of running a school district, he re-energizes by visiting students in their classroom settings. While he makes it a point to visit all schools, oftentimes Smith Clove Elementary gets a larger share of his visits because the school’s campus is adjacent to the district’s central administration offices. And on a recent day, DiLorenzo took the short walk over to Smith Clove. There, he made a visit to Jennifer Bird’s first-grade class and spent some time chatting with the six and seven-year-old students about what they were doing. But kids being kids, the students were quick to interject with their own questions of him. “How old are you?” one young boy asked without any hesitation. “Well,” DiLorenzo answered matter-of -factly, “I’m 28.” “No, you’re not!” “You can’t be!” “That’s not right!” “You’re older than that!” most of the students immediately responded, as their teacher laughed. DiLorenzo, a former teacher himself, knew he was clearly busted. So, he quickly redirected the conversation, and using his former teacher’s “voice,” focused the little students’ banter into a quick lesson. “Okay, okay,” he said. “I’m not 28. But let’s make a math problem about this. If we add 28 and 30, that’s my age. Who can do this math? How much is 28 plus 30?” “58!” “28 plus 30 is 58,” many of the students quickly responded with raised hands held high. One voice added: “You’re really 58?” DiLorenzo’s visit to a class like Bird’s was among the last he will make to any Monroe-Woodbury school. At the end of this month, DiLorenzo retires from his position as superintendent and from a 31-year career as an educator/administrator. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Edward Mehrhof will become the new district superintendent. “That,” DiLorenzo said, referring to his visit with students during the walk back to his office, “that’s the best part of the job, right there.” ‘It’s time’ DiLorenzo admitted he will miss the daily routine and responsibilities of running a school district, but the moment to leave was right. “Everyone reaches a time in their life where they should retire to enjoy their family and explore some other opportunities,” he said. “It’s really bittersweet.” DiLorenzo has served as Monroe-Woodbury’s superintendent since 2005. He had been the superintendent at the Port Jervis City School District prior to that. His career included serving as an assistant superintendent for instruction at Port Jervis and as principal and assistant principal at its high school. DiLorenzo began his educational career at the Valley Central High School in 1974 as an English teacher, spending 17 years with that district as a teacher, department chair and assistant principal. During that time, he took a five-year break to work in the construction industry. ‘It’s we’ But when he spoke specifically of his last five years in the education field at Monroe-Woodbury, DiLorenzo took great care in redirecting any spotlight on him and placing it on everyone who has some large or small role in the education of the district’s students. “The teachers, the staff, the Board of Education and everyone else here, anything we’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished as a team,” said DiLorenzo. “None of this is ‘I.’ It’s ‘we.’ This is a wonderful place to educate children. The programs we offer are certainly not common in New York.” DiLorenzo said the key to the district’s success were the teachers and administrators, adding “we have incredible people on all levels.” He also stressed the superintendent’s job is one of many important jobs within the district. “The superintendent has a great deal of responsibilities, like the direction or policy of the district or its daily operations,” he said. “I facilitate that. But then there are the teachers, and the support staff, and the people who serve lunch or the people who drive buses. They’re all important. I know I am forgetting someone.” He praised the Board of Education, calling that group “very supportive on all district initiatives and who have always kept the best interests of students in the forefront of decision-making.” A community that is involved Eventually, DiLorenzo said he may look to teach on a college level. But what will be most enjoyable in the short-term is having some time to relax. In the last 30 years, he said, he’s never had more than one week off at a time. “I’m looking back at a career that was well-spent,” he said. “I am glad to have been a part of this district and its teachers, administrators, staff and students.” DiLorenzo expressed gratitude to the district’s residents, noting voters passed five budgets during the five years he’s served as superintendent. It’s not always easy, particularly when there’s a sour economy and residents are upset over their growing school tax bills. But he knows the importance of good relations with district stakeholders and recognizes the importance of constantly enhancing those relationships. During his tenure, the district has had its share of controversy as it’s had consensus. DiLorenzo thanked his critics for making their points known. “Your evaluations and comments and criticism have always been well-thought out,” he said, noting “that keeps you better at what you’re doing. “I would hope they will remember I came to work every day with the best interests of students first and foremost,” he added. “I tried each day to make this a better place for the students, teachers and the community.” Once a teacher ... He made special reference about the importance of teaching. “Teaching remains one of the most important careers that a person can dedicate his or her life to,” said DiLorenzo. “I highly recommend it. It’s certainly challenging. The impact you can have on a student is far reaching. The power that you have, as a teacher, to influence the life of a student is tremendous. If you think back, you can remember the name of an educator who made your life better.”

Not only do students have the academic opportunities, they have the social opportunities and the extracurricular opportunities for personal growth. This district provides the foundation for a future for students. The rest is up to them.” Monroe-Woodbury School Superintendent Joseph DiLorenzo , who retires at the end of the month

The teachers, the staff, the Board of Education and everyone else here, anything we’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished as a team. “None of this is ‘I.’ It’s ‘we.’” Monroe-Woodbury School Superintendent Joseph DiLorenzo , who retires at the end of the month