By Hector Flores
Dillon studied administration as well, and gradually rose up the ranks, first as a supervisor in Goshen, in Orange County NY, then as a secondary principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent in nearby Chester. His skills as a superintendent were further honed in Irvington and Eastport, and finally during his eight years in the East Meadow School District.
Now, as he prepares for his retirement and the next chapter of his life, Dillon is looking back on his career, appreciative of the role he has played in shaping the minds of tomorrow. ³I think it is gratifying,² he said. ³We in education help kids discover who they are, and help them through their transition from kids to adolescents and into adulthood. Through it all we provide guidance and direction, and unleash their potential. We don¹t make widgets, we create the future.²
Dillon made his retirement plans public at the March 8 Board of Education meeting. According to Deborah Coates, the board¹s president, next Feb. 1 will be Dillon¹s last day at the helm. ³I am happy for Dr. Dillon as he retires and moves on to another phase in his life and career,² Coates said. ³He has led the district through many challenges, such as the county reassessments, state and federal mandates, changes in student assessments and financial audits. He has fought hard in Albany and Washington, D.C., for this district and for education as a whole, challenging our legislators to be mindful of the future of our nation, which is our children and their education.²
Board Vice President Brian O¹Flaherty echoed Coates¹s sentiments, describing Dillon as a great manager of people and comparing him to football great Joe Namath. ³His recommendations over the years of talented new administrators continues to pay great dividends,² O¹Flaherty said. ³He constantly gave the board his best thinking, and always did what was best for the child and the district. I usually don¹t compare people to other people in history, but Dr. Dillon¹s tenure is similar to Joe Namath¹s playing days. He is going to be missed, professionally and personally.²
Leon Campo, deputy superintendent of schools, said he has enjoyed working with Dillon, and that though his tenure with the district was no picnic, the district has made great strides just the same. ³We faced two official New York state comptroller audits and we did quite well,² Campo said. ³We have two national awards for budgeting and financial disclosure, and have successfully implemented the largest bond facilities reconstruction program in our history. More than $50 million in bonds.²
In addition, Campo said, the district is in the midst of a two-phase project to improve energy efficiency in the district¹s buildings. In the first phase, boiler controls and energy-efficient lighting were installed in school buildings. The second phase of the project will introduce energy-efficient windows and complete the installation of the new boiler controls.
Most important, Campo said, Dillon has made some difficult decisions in order to continue provided the best education for the children in the district. ³During his tenure, we had to realign our budget with reduction of state aid,² Campo explained. ³We had to downsize our budget and address an unpleasant reality to reduce the size of our expense budget, and that meant having to let people go.²
In addition, Campo said, under Dillon¹s leadership the district has been able to negotiate multi-year contracts with a number of collective bargaining units, with the exception of the East Meadow Teachers Association, which has been without a new contract since Aug. 31, 2004.
However difficult times have been for the district, Campo said, it has never forgotten its mission to improve the education of its children. And Dillon has made himself available to local community leaders. Helen Meittinis, president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue in Salisbury, said he was always willing to lend his support in times of need. ³His door was always open to me, and he listened to what I had to say whether he agreed or not,² Meittinis said. ³He did understand my commitment to my residents, and also my passion in making right the many wrongs that have befallen our neighborhood. I also know he has lobbied on the state and federal level to secure our educational aid, and he has backed me up in my concerns for the safety for our community.²
Dillon acknowledged the district¹s many accomplishments, but said that none of them would have been possible without residents¹ involvement. ³I would like to thank residents for their support,² he said. ³We have passed all the budgets and referendums. They have understood what we are trying to accomplish and they¹ve been very supportive throughout the years. As an educator, you are never satisfied. We have done great things, but you can always do better.²
Bill Alderman, a local resident who has sometimes been a vocal critic of Dillon, wished him well in his retirement plans. ³Although Dr. Dillon and I have not seen eye to eye on many subjects,² Alderman said, ³I know that in his heart, he has always had the best interest of the students first and foremost. I wish him luck.²
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
