An interview with Bill Fortgang

William (Bill) Fortgang, 57, will be retiring after 25 years at East Rockaway High School. The Herald sat down with him recently to talk about his time at the school and his future plans. He has a wife and two daughters.

Herald: How many years have you been at East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School?
Bill Fortgang: 21 years as principal, but 25 years total when you include being an instructor of Fine Arts.

H: What are some of your fondest memories?
BF: The bonds that I’ve formed over the years with students and faculty members here.

H: What do you think you’ll miss the most?
BF: I think watching the joy on students’ faces when they accomplish a goal or receive an award.

H: What are your future plans?
BF: Nothing definite yet.

H: Want to share any other feelings about retiring?
BF: I marched in the Memorial Day parade for the last time this year with many of the students. When we got to the end of the parade, all of the parents were holding up a sign saying “we are going to miss you Mr. Fortgang” ... and it was the weirdest feeling … it reality hit and I realized that this is it, this is my last year here.
I would like to thank my East Rockaway family for many years of wonderful experiences and friendships, I am going to miss you all.

HE WILL BE MISSED ...

Mr. Fortgang has been the principal for me and my two older sisters. He’s so caring and is always there for you when you need something — and knows me by my first name without any hesitation. It’s going to be so weird in the school without him during my senior year. We are going to miss him.”
Molly Bastow, class of 2013

“Mr. Fortgang is such a great guy and such a huge part of this high school. Nobody wants to see him go, but we all wish him the best of luck. I’m glad I was lucky enough to spend time with him and ‘be him’ for senior day. Good luck on your retirement Mr. Fortgang!”
Josh Warner, class of 2012