Lawrence reorganizes for a new school year

In the midst of routine items being approved during Lawrence School District’s organizational meeting on July 7 the news that Assistant Superintendent for Student and Community Affairs Pat Pizzarelli is retiring, effective July 31, reverberated through the middle school cafeteria.
Pizzarelli, who also serves as the district’s athletic director, has worked in Lawrence for 23 and a half years. He has worked in several capacities, including interim principal of the Number Five School and also coached football, lacrosse, basketball and wresting. Pizzarelli began the lacrosse programs in Lawrence and the Plainedge School District, where he worked prior to coming to the Five Towns. “It was just the time to do it,” Pizzarelli said.
Board of Education President Murray Forman who was unanimously reappointed said that though Pizzarelli is leaving the district his presence will always be felt by those who worked alongside him. “Pat has always been a consummate professional and has always had the best interest of the district, especially the children, at heart,” Forman said.
Trustee Dr. David Sussman said that Pizzarelli was instrumental in helping to navigate Lawrence through difficult times more than a decade ago, including a shift in district demographics and board leadership. “Through some very rough times you were the glue that held us together,” Sussman said.
Superintendent Gary Schall said that district officials “will be exploring all options” to fill the positions Pizzarelli held. “Pat is leaving us with big shoes to fill,” Schall said. “By next month’s board meeting we will be prepared to make a recommendation regarding an administrative structure that fills roles that Pat was so successful at handling.” The next Board of Education meeting is for Monday. Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria.

As Pizzarelli prepares to leave, new Trustee Heshy Blachorsky was sworn in and begins his first three-year term on the board. Blachorsky was elected in May. He defeated Asher Matathias for the position.
Blachorsky, 39, is a chief risk officer at a mortgage bank who lives in North Woodmere. He said he wants to focus on ensuring that children who need additional and special services have their needs met as efficiently as mainstream students.

Construction moving along
Schall said that the needed demolition at the middle school is nearly completed for the reconstruction of the building that come September will house third-, fourth- and fifth-graders as well as sixth-, seventh and eighth-graders as the district implements a grade-level realignment plan that includes pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students. “Central office will be moving to the high school by the end of the month,” he said.