ASD Superintendent Brian De Sorbe to retire
by Carolyn James
Calling his decision "bittersweet," Amityville School Superintendent Brian De Sorbe has announced his retirement. He will be leaving the district he came to in October, 2002 at the end of September, saying he plans to spend more time with his family, 'and see what retirement has in store for him.'

Brian De Sorbe, ASD Superintendent

"I am a worker bee and enjoy being busy, so I don't really know what retirement will be like," said De Sorbe in discussing his decision. "I do know that running a school district is a 24-7 job and that it does not leave much time for anything else."

DeSorbe has been an educator since 1968. Before coming to Amityville, he served as acting superintendent of schools in Wyandanch and during his tenure there, the district realized a $1.9 million budget surplus after going through some difficult financial times. He also taught at Dowling College.

He earned his bachelor's and master's degree at the State University of New York at Cortland and a professional degree in educational administration at Hofstra. He has a Ph.D in educational administration from New York University.

In a story that appeared in The Record in October, 2002 when he arrived in the district, De Sorbe said that he wanted to build trust and get everyone in the district to understand that they are all working for the same goal: to help children.

"The focus is not on adults," he said at the time. "It is on the children and my part is to help make it better for the students."

"He's done that," said School Trustee Dennis James, who added that he's sorry to see De Sorbe leaving. "He's done a good job in giving Amityville what it needed in terms of financial, organizational and instructional strength. He's helped raise test scores and while we still have a way go to, he deserves credit for helping move this district forward."

School Board Trustee Chuck Walters, who was on the board at the time it hired DeSorbe said he, too, is sorry to see him go.

"He has done a good job and I wish him the best of luck," said Walters, adding that DeSorbe has helped the students in the district increase test scores and meet new and highly competitive state standards. "He's also brought on some good people to work with him and has done a good job in bringing some organization to the district," said Walters.

School Board President Michelle Sikhrangkur did not return phone calls. The School Board has hired a consulting firm to help it in the selection process of hiring De Sorbe's replacement.

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