Johnstown schools superintendent resigning

PHOTOGRAPHER: Daniel Fitzsimmons

Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Robert A. DeLilli announced his resignation at a May 19 school board meeting, according to a news item on the district’s website.

In his resignation letter, DeLilli characterized the last five years as “amazing” and said the district has seen positive changes in physical space and innovative programming, and he touted the district’s recent focus on literacy, “a key foundation in learning.”

“I have been honored to be part of a special team of people who work hard to keep children at the forefront of decision-making,” DeLilli said in his letter, which was posted to the district’s website.

DeLilli took the GJSD superintendent position in 2011 while he was serving as superintendent of the Gloversville Enlarged School District.

DeLilli said his tentative retirement date from GJSD would be Feb. 8, 2017.

GJSD Board of Education President Paul VanDenburgh said on Tuesday that members of the board were “surprised” and “saddened” by DeLillo’s announcement.

“It was a surprise to a lot of us, I’ll put it that way,” said VanDenburgh. “He devoted his whole life to education and is eligible for retirement June 30, and he wanted to give the district time to find a replacement.”

VanDenburgh said the board will discuss forming a search committee at their next meeting on June 2. The board had not, VanDenburgh said, discussed retirement with DeLilli prior to his announcement May 19.

A call made Tuesday afternoon to DeLilli’s office has not yet been returned.

Reach Gazette reporter Dan Fitzsimmons at 852-9605, [email protected] or @DanFitzsimmons on Twitter.