ONE ON ONE | Tony DeNiro Jr. City school director is dedicated to making a difference

Why did you feel education was your calling?
My dad was a custodian with the Youngstown city school district 35 years. Ever since I was old enough, when I was 4 or 5, I used to go with him to buildings. We put the Christmas tree up. I watched him shovel coal. When I graduated from high school, I started working in the school system in maintenance in the summertime. ... I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I like working with kids. I thought I'd be a teacher forever.
Why did you decide to make the switch to administration?
I saw the opportunity, as a building administrator, to do something for the entire school ... not just my individual class. I thought I could make a difference with kids. Kids need inspiration. They need a role model.... I don't regret one day as a principal. I've enjoyed making ties with different families on different sides of town. It's been a great experience.
What about your move to this role?
I've been very fortunate. I came into this position in '99, passed the bond levy in 2000 for the building project, and it's been a very challenging position, no doubt about it, but I'm in a position where I can do something positive for the district. And the building project, I think, is going to be a motivating factor for the rebirth of the city schools and the city of Youngstown.
Who has most influenced your life?
Oh, without a doubt my mother and father. My mother in the respect that she demanded that I go to college. ... And my father because he was of the Depression era, and said, "You're going to do something better than be a custodian."
If you found a magic lamp what would your three wishes be?
My first wish would be continued health and happiness for my family and my son in his upcoming marriage. My second wish would be that the Youngstown city schools rise above all of the negatives that have been said about the school district, because we have an excellent school district here and I have faith that we're going to come out of academic emergency. My third wish is that the community will be happy and satisfied with the buildings we're going to build them, and they'll be proud of the buildings.
We talked about your parents. Do you have any other role models?
My role models would be from the education field, the first person that gave me the opportunity to be an administrator, Mr. Bob Pegues was my superintendent. He gave me the confidence to do what I'm doing today. ... And, of course, Ben McGee is a great superintendent.
What would you say is the best thing about Youngstown? The Youngstown city schools?
The best thing about Youngstown is the school district. ... We don't brag enough about it. We get too much negative publicity, and there are so many good things going on that people are not aware of. The best thing about the city schools are the people who work in our school district, from the superintendent all the way down to the custodian in the building.
Do you have a favorite food?
Yeah. I love steak. I love good steak. Steak and barbecue ribs.
A favorite restaurant?
Locally, I enjoy going to the Springfield Grille and Bobby D's. I graduated with Bob DeVicchio and I enjoy going there because we always have a lot to talk about. And Rockne's.
When you're not working what are you doing?
I played (guitar) in a band for 33 years locally and enjoyed that. ... That was my hobby. Besides that, I enjoy going home and working in the yard and going to see baseball and football games.
What would you like to do when you retire?
I don't see myself retired. I thoroughly enjoy what I'm doing, as challenging as it is and as frustrating as it is sometimes. ... I think when I retire, though, I just want to enjoy my family, my wife, my son, my future daughter-in-law and, hopefully, they have some grandchildren.
Is there anything else you'd like people to know?
The Youngstown schools are my life. I'm not here for any reason but to see good things happen to Youngstown schools. When I tell you, and get real sentimental, that I watched my dad work and sweat ... and that's where I think I started my love of the Youngstown city schools. ... Being born and raised in Youngstown, going to Youngstown city schools, it's not just a job to me, it's a personal commitment I have to myself and the district to see something good happen to it.