Outgoing sup’t reflects on the past

Louis DeAngelo, 64, will retire as superintendent of the East Meadow School District on June 30.

David Weingrad/Herald

Louis DeAngelo appeared at ease, sitting in his office earlier this month, his final one as superintendent of the East Meadow School District.

He spoke proudly of his 30 years serving the district in an administrative role — the last six as superintendent — noting his work building special education programs, the growth of music and arts inside the schools, and the relationships he has forged with many parents throughout the years.

DeAngelo, 64, will retire on June 30. Leon Campo, whom he succeeded as superintendent six years ago, will replace him on an interim basis while Board of Education trustees conduct a search for a permanent replacement.

There will be some big changes in the district when schools reopen in the fall. Not only will there be a new leader, but for the first time, there will be full-day kindergarten — an expansion that was approved by voters in May. DeAngelo expressed his joy that the change came about in a popular vote, decided by residents.

Overseeing one of the biggest K-12 districts in Long Island — behind only Massapequa and Levittown — which services approximately 7,000 students, DeAngelo made many important decisions during his six years as schools chief, and he acknowledged that there were some people who did not always agree with him. That was evident at school board meetings this year, when a contingent of parents voiced complaints about the kindergarten program, state testing and communication protocols from administration to parents.

But DeAngelo insisted that the decisions he has made as superintendent were because he felt they were the right thing to do. “I have very strong values,” he said. “I have a very strong sense of what’s right and what’s wrong. Whenever you’re in a position of needing to make decisions, and to impact programs, and to weigh in on a whole host of different viewpoints, you need to call upon your values, call upon what you believe is important. And I’ve tried to be true to that.”

He also said that whenever an issue was raised by parents, their viewpoint was taken under consideration. “Whenever a decision that I have made, or a stance I have taken has been questioned or challenged,” he said, “I’ve always given that perspective thought, and I’ve always looked to reevaluate my thinking on the matter.”

DeAngelo taught in various districts, including Western Suffolk BOCES, before coming to the East Meadow School District in 1985 as director of special education, and shortly thereafter adding the title director of pupil and personnel services. In 2001 he was promoted to assistant superintendent of human resources.

“I think the experience that I’ve had within the district in different capacities has helped me tremendously,” he said. “It’s given me the opportunity to meet a number of parents, and many families I’ve formed relationships with. Families I’m still in touch with from 30 years ago.”

The district also serves approximately 950 students annually who require special education services. DeAngelo spoke highly of the programs and teachers that have aided these children over the years, including Recognizing and Encouraging Accomplishments in Children, or REACH, which aims to mainstream children with special needs into group sports and activities. “I think we have the reputation for having a very comprehensive special-education program,” DeAngelo said. “We’ve never had a constraint placed upon us for services with children with special needs. The view always was: what’s in the best interest of this child … and that always made me very proud.”

DeAngelo lives in Huntington with his wife and two grown children, and he said he is looking forward to spending more time with them — something that is not so easy given the packed schedule of a schools chief. What he will miss most, he said, is being around children in an educational environment, and the excitement and energy that come with it. “I’m looking forward to spending some unstructured time,” he said.

“And from there,” he added, “seeing where it takes me.”