By KAREN RICE
Spinola, 60, cited a nice retirement incentive from District 14, as well as a desire to spend more time with his family and wife Betty, as the reasons behind his retirement.
My oldest daughter just had a son, Ryan, and I would like to spend time with him, Spinola said. And [my family and I] like to golf, travel and go dancing. Now I will have more time to do all those things.
He added that retirement will be a big change for him, but I am going to enjoy it.
Angela Giovanniello, a discovery teacher at Ogden for eight years, said that Spinola has been a remarkable administrator.
He's fabulous, he's an inspiration to the staff and a great leader, she said. He's motivated his staff and developed an environment at Ogden that is just so wonderful. He shows respect to all the teachers, students and parents. And he never asks the teachers to do something he would not do himself. He participates in everything.
Main office secretary Joanne Provenzano agreed that Spinola has been a very successful principal.
It's wonderful to work with him, absolutely wonderful, Provenzano said. He is one-in-a-million. He's incredible, a fearless leader.
Sharon Rossano, a computer aid, added that many people will be crying at Spinola's retirement party on June 19.
He is the best boss ever, Rossano said. He doesn't just think of you as an employee, he thinks of you as family. He is the best boss that there is. There will be a lot of black raccoon faces [at his retirement party].
Ann Marie Castrogiavanni, a second-grade teacher who has worked with Spinola since 1986, said that Spinola has always been a hands-on principal who was readily involved with school activities and projects and open to new ideas.
Castrogiavanni added that Spinola's support was essential in turning an empty yard next to the school into a garden-filled getaway for teachers and students. He helped out in any way possible, she said. Anything we needed he helped with.
Haig agreed that Spinola has been a very active principal and noted how he worked hard to improve the technology programs in the school. Spinola created a technology committee that enabled teachers and students to teach each other how to use computer programs such as PowerPoint, Kidspiration and Timeline, Haig said. The children were also encouraged to put their articles on the Internet, Haig said.
Spinola also has a fun side, Haig said, which he showed with his Principal for a Day program. Every year for one day, one student who correctly guessed his lunch would be allowed to take his place as principal while Spinola became a student.
School librarian Ann Canavan, who has worked with Spinola for 11 years, agreed that keeping in touch with the students has always been a priority for Spinola.
He is very much a hands-on principal, she said. He played the trumpet in the school play but he also learned to play the bass. He took lessons and learned to read the music. It was a great learning experience for him. He got to remember what it is like to be a student.
Spinola said he is leaving the school in very capable hands with Haig taking over as principal.
I feel very confident leaving the school with [Haig], he said. Many of our philosophies are similar and she has all the love and respect needed to do a good job.
Superintendent Dr. Charles Fowler said, Carl is a man hard to replace, who epitomizes all that an elementary school principal should be. And Joan will continue to work to keep the family environment Spinola created, where parents are respected, employees valued and the students feel comfortable and at-home.
