By Stephen J. Bronner
“My teaching and leadership career has been fulfilling and rewarding,” Omotani said in a e-mail statement sent from a week-long education seminar in Garrison, N.Y., that he and Bisso were attending. “I am now looking forward to a new career of retirement ... spending an unlimited amount of time with my best friend and wife Barbara. We intend to visit many special places throughout the world, pursue our favorite recreational and cultural activities, continue our special philanthropic and service interests, read, learn to play the piano, and live every day to the fullest.”
Omotani looked both determined and emotional as he read his letter of resignation to the District 14 Board of Education at its July 8 meeting, after which he was given a standing ovation by the trustees and the small audience. His resignation is effective June 30, 2010, and Bisso will step into the position in July.
“Dr. Omotani is an enlightened superintendent whose ethos of caring has profoundly influenced the HWPS,” Bisso said. “I respect his decision to enjoy the fullness of retirement and the opportunities it will provide. I do so, however, with a sense of sadness at the thought of his departure in 2010.”
Omotani has a lengthy resume. He taught high school English and social studies as well as middle school and elementary school classes in Alberta, Canada, where he also coached basketball and football, advised student councils and Key Clubs and coordinated student-exchange programs. He came to Hewlett-Woodmere after 10 years as the superintendent of West Des Moines Community Schools in Iowa, a 16-school district with a student population of around 9,000, he said. He was also an adjunct college professor there.
“My first and most important goal was to be a teacher who made a difference in the life of each student that I had the opportunity and responsibility to nurture and teach,” Omotani said. “I grew up in a background of poverty, and everything I am and get to do is because teachers and school staff believed that a kid like me could learn, achieve, perform and be highly successful. All my life, I’ve wanted to care and serve so that I could give back a small portion of what I’ve received.”
After Omotani’s predecessor as superintendent, Dr. Charles Fowler, announced his retirement more than five years ago, he encouraged Omotani to apply for the position, Omotani recalled. Both were members of Suburban School Superintendents, a national organization.
Education trustees and parents said that Omotani accomplished what he set out to do: continue providing the district’s students with a great education. He also stressed the importance of connecting private- and public-school families and the four A’s — academics, arts, athletics and activities. Another of Omotani's goals was to improve the facilities at Woodmere Middle School, he said. A new gym was completed, and more improvements are on the way, according to Omotani.
“It's a real privilege to work with someone of Dr. Omotani's background and diversified interests,” said Trustee Stephen Witt. “He's been the most dynamic superintendent I've had the opportunity to work with since I started working in public education in 1984. If someone can be better than outstanding, it would be Dr. Les Omotani.”
Jodi Shamir, co-president of the high school's Parent Teacher Association, said parents will be sad to see Omotani retire. “He's been wonderful for the district,” Shamir said. “He's very approachable and took an interest in everything the children did, from Franklin Early Childhood Center to the high school. For every sport, he was there to root the kids on. I'm sure the parents will thank him for his years of service.”
Both Bisso and Omotani said they expect a smooth transition over the next year. “Dr. Omotani is a master superintendent whose generosity in mentoring and sponsoring me has been an added dimension to my professional growth,” Bisso said. “The concept of the caring learning community is alive and well in HWPS. Dr. Omotani has consistently led us in that direction. To continue to prosper as such, we must recognize that we are all caring members and must care for each other, and that we are all learners and have much to learn from one another.”
As for Omotani's last school year, he said he vows to continue his work. “I want to thank the Board of Education and everyone who is a part of our Hewlett-Woodmere community for providing me with the exceptional and unique opportunity to serve as the superintendent for Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools,” he said. “The experience is the highlight of my educational career. I promise to continue to dedicate myself to the support, caring and leadership functions to the last hour and day of my service.”
Comments about this story? SBronner@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
