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Bittersweet goodbye

Board bids farewell to superintendent

OBSERVER Photo by Greg Fox Fredonia Board of Education President Michael Bobseine (left) presents outgoing Superintendent Paul DiFonzo with a plaque to be hung on the Wall of Honor — once a picture is placed on it.

Saying goodbye to a job you love does not come easy for anyone — and Fredonia Central School Superintendent Paul J. DiFonzo is no exception.

DiFonzo choked up at one point during his final board of education meeting as the school district’s leader on Tuesday. He noted the school community has helped him become a better man.

“I’ve been blessed to be in our district,” he stated emotionally. “I keep thinking about Friday, because that’s my last day in my position (before I retire) and I realized as the last two or three weeks have gone by how difficult it is to leave the school, when I see all my colleagues, all of the students, my two boys are still here in school … and I’m so appreciative of everything that everyone here has done for my family, the community, the school district, all the staff, all the students. You’re just my family. You’ve made life special for me outside of my home, and I feel like I’m coming to home here.

“I’m going to miss all of you. I could never repay you or thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me and my time here, but I want you to know that if you need me for anything, or if I can ever be of any assistance, all you need to do is call me and I’ll try to help out.”

The board presented DiFonzo with a plaque, which will be hung on Fredonia’s Wall of Honor outside the district auditorium, next to a picture of former superintendent Dr. Rocco R. Doino.

There’s just one catch, though — DiFonzo didn’t have a decent enough photo of himself to attach to the plaque, Board President Michael Bobseine joked.

“We tried to find a good picture … but it wasn’t going to work,” Bobseine quipped. “So, we are going to have you professionally portrayed.”

“Thank you all; I don’t deserve this honor,” DiFonzo replied. “It’s really more than I could’ve ever asked for.”

A round of applause followed.

Board members and administrators alike praised DiFonzo for his work in the district. Many of them made it known that he will be missed.

DiFonzo served as an administrator from 1999 to 2002 before being named superintendent in 2002. The plaque commemorates his “outstanding service, dedication and contributions to the students, staff, parents and community members” of the district.

Retired Amherst School superintendent Dr. Laura Pless will take over as the interim superintendent while the search for DiFonzo’s successor kicks into high gear. Pless worked at Fredonia for almost 15 years; she was a teacher and began her administrative career there.

Officials hope to publicly name the new superintendent by June 14.

Email: gfox@observertoday.com. Twitter: @gfoxnews

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