By Andrew Coen
Verriello's resignation will take effect on March 1, which will put a close to 19 years in the district, the last dozen as director of facilities and operations. Verriello was hired on Dec. 22, 1986 as a head custodian at the Number Five School in Cedarhurst, a position he held for two years. In 1988, Verriello was tapped as a maintenance supervisor for the Lawrence Public Schools and in 1994, was added the title of Maintenance Supervisor-Clerk of the Works.
"[Lawrence] has worked out well for my time here but I had a wonderful opportunity," said Verriello, who will serve as one of the directors of facilities for the Queensborough Public Libraries' 62 branches.
Verriello was also honored by the Lawrence Educational Foundation a few years ago for his service to the district.
Verriello will be exiting a district, which has numerous building needs according to engineers who have recently examined all the facilities in the Lawrence Public Schools. Voters soundly rejected two $20 million bond proposals in 2003 by over 1,000 votes, which would have taken care of what district officials described as bare essential items in the district's buildings. "We are not getting community support for capital improvements which is truly needed throughout the district," said Verriello.
Despite operating under an austerity budget the last three years following failed budgets, Verriello helped oversee the emergency funding for the replacement of the Lawrence Middle School roof and fire escapes at the Number Five and Number Four School after they were deemed unsafe by engineers.
Lawrence school board president Frank Parise said that district officials are currently in the process of searching for either an interim or full-time replacement for Verriello. Verriello, who resides in Oceanside, said he is currently working with assistant superintendent for business Frank Ruggiero to allow for a smooth transition for whoever replaces him.
"[Dennis] has spent so much time in the district he will be tough to replace," said Parise. "Nobody knows the buildings like Dennis does."
Comments about this story? acoen@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext. 210.
