Jackson School District Bids Goodbye To Superintendent

Superintendent of schools Stephen Genco (Photo by Micromedia Publications)

  JACKSON – School Board officials and administrators bid goodbye to Superintendent Dr. Stephen Genco last month during his last school board meeting.

  Nearly a year ago, Genco gave notice during a meeting in August that he would be retiring at the end of the school year.

  The superintendent couldn’t have imagined what his last year of serving as Jackson’s educational leader would bring. He thanked those he worked with and board members past and present “for all the support.”

  “This is my last board meeting. I have many mixed emotions obviously. I love Jackson. I consider this job and working with the people I work with and the boards to be the pinnacle of my career,”

  “I couldn’t have asked for a better community, a better group of people. I love this board and everyone in between,” Genco said. He also commended his assistant Jeannie Barber.

  In March, the board approved the appointment of Asst. Superintendent Nicole Pormilli to take over as superintendent. She has 28 years in education, including nine years as an assistant superintendent and 15 years of central administration experience.

  Pormilli said following her appointment, “I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from Dr. Genco and so many others and I am honored to have been appointed to this position. Jackson is a very special place, and it’s truly a privilege to take on this responsibility.’’

  Genco noted that “there are still issues outstanding, obviously, with getting back to school and finances with S-2 (the state’s school aid formula which has cut funding). We are still in a lawsuit with the state to get to the bottom of those things.”

  “This board has been great. It is definitely bittersweet but it is time for me to retire but ultimately, I’m not going far. I’ll be teaching at Georgian Court. Mrs. Pormilli is stepping in and will do a great job. She has worked with me side by side for many years. I’m just a phone call away and I’d love to be invited back to visit,” Genco said.

  Genco also touched on the complexity of the district’s reopening in the fall and the preparation and planning that will involve as well as some of the more topical issues that have come up in the community, state and country.

  “We have been mentioning the many social justice issues that have been occurring in our country right now and if our students were physically with us in our schools, we would be in a position read their moods and needs and adjust our responses accordingly,” Genco said.

  He added that for older students “we’d be able to have constructive discussions and opportunities to express their opinions and even their outrage if that is what is needed.”

  “For our younger students we’d be able to monitor their behavior and respond to their emotional needs and for all our students we’d be able to identify opportunities to discuss in person the value of compassion and kindness,” he said, adding that for parents who have concerns at home to reach out to the district if their children were having problems processing the events that have been occurring “with the world around them. Our building principals are working every day and are ready to offer assistance.”

  “This is not how I thought I’d be saying goodbye to Dr. Genco at a meeting,” Board member Sharon Dey said. “I do want to thank you. I have worked with you my entire time on the board.”

  “You have brought this school district to a very high level under very challenging conditions. This year is for the books.” She told Genco that he had always risen to each challenge the district has faced and commended him for having developed an administrative team that had not forgotten their roots as educators.

  Board member Gus Acevedo said, “educators are heroes and our superintendent is a hero among heroes.”

  “Dr. Genco I wish you all the best in your retirement, congratulations to Ms. Pormilli,” Tara Riveria said.

  “You have been a super awesome superintendent. I appreciate everything you say and do,” Board member Scott Sargent said.

  Board member John Burnetsky asked those who had not seen the district virtual graduation held in June to check them out. “They were very well done and entertaining.”

  “Dr. Genco I really don’t know what to say. You were the superintendent when I came on the board and your wealth of knowledge, transparency is going to be missed. Enjoy your retirement. You won’t be lost as we will see you around,” Burnetsky added.

  “Yes, you will,” Genco responded.