By Andrew Coen
New beginnings are always exciting, Fitzsimons said after the vote.
Fitzsimons will begin work in his new position on July 1, when Dr. Mark Rosenbaum retires after 11 years with the district, the last two as superintendent. Fitzsimons signed a three-year contract worth $185,000 per year plus benefits.
Fitzsimons, a Manhattan resident, has served as superintendent at West Windsor-Plainsboro school district in Princeton Junction, N.J. for the past five years. Before that he was superintendent of the Tenafly, N.J. school district for five years.
After the school board vote at Lawrence Middle School, Fitzsimons addressed the board with his wife, Carol, at his side, saying, We're very excited about coming here, and I'm sure that my experience and background will hopefully move the system further and further towards excellence. You have a great reputation and tremendous community support.
Fitzsimons, 61, has a reputation for being well-liked by students and teachers. I really make an effort to be out in the schools and be visible, he said. Given that Lawrence is even smaller than the other two districts I've worked in, I think I will be even more visible.
Fitzsimons' effort to spend time at each school in his district was a major reason why he enjoyed a great relationship with faculty and students, he said. He spent at least half a day in each school every month to meet with the principal as well as students and teachers.
I've had faculty members tell me I'm the first superintendent they have seen come into their room in 20 years, Fitzsimons said.
However, sources have said he did not have a great working relationship with the school board in Tenafly, which led to his resignation on June 30, 1998.
There is always going to be disagreement between the school board and administration, Fitzsimons said. These [school board members] are good people with good intentions, but sometimes they have an agenda that does not fit in. I've always felt comfortable with people on the school board, but sometimes you are going to have disagreement.
Lawrence school board President Frank Parise said he is excited to have Fitzsimons aboard. I think those claims have been overrated, and the person that made them did not look at the whole picture, he said. He comes into Lawrence with a lot of experience, and I look forward to working with him, Parise added.
Penny Schuster, co-president of the Central Council PTA, is also happy about Fitzsimons' decision to come to Lawrence. The council and the entire PTA wish him good luck, and we're looking forward to working closely with him and are willing to help in any way we can, she said.
When asked about the reports that Fitzsimons had trouble working with school boards in the past, Schuster said, Any good leader has a mind of his or her own, and I expect he will work respectfully with both the PTA and school board.
Fitzsimons stays physically active. He recently rode in a five-borough bike tour with his 10-year-old grandson. Fitzsimons, who grew up in Brooklyn, played football, basketball and baseball in high school. I really think it's important to stay active, he said.
