Elementary principal at McDonald resigns after 20 years in position

By Mary Smith

McDONALD — The board of education has accepted the resignation of Roosevelt Elementary Principal Anthony Russo, 61, effective Dec. 31.

“I really enjoyed my career here,” said Russo, who has been Roosevelt principal for 20 years. “I have a lot of pride in the system and the community. I’ve enjoyed the whole thing.”

He will be replaced by Maggie Kowach, who has been appointed to the job effective Dec. 1 to June 30, 2010, for 140 days at the daily rate of $336.43. She will earn $47,100 for that time period.

She is now a kindergarten teacher at Roosevelt Elementary and has been with the district since 1992 as a kindergarten teacher, first-grade teacher or math-intervention teacher. She is the head teacher at Roosevelt and has taken over responsibilities of the principal in his absence.

Russo has been principal at Roosevelt since 1989, after teaching fourth- and then fifth-grade at the school since May 17, 1978.

He and his wife, the former Kathleen White, have three children and reside in the village. She retired as a teacher of 30 years from Southington schools seven years ago.

Russo is a Navy veteran, having served from 1969 to 1971, and was discharged as a petty officer 3rd class. He has bachelor-of-science degrees in business and elementary education and a master’s in elementary education from Youngstown State University.

School district Treasurer Brian Stidham said at Monday’s board meeting that the state auditors are still working on completing an audit of the district’s books for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Projections are that the district is facing a deficit of more that $2 million for the fiscal year through June 2010. The district has been placed in state fiscal emergency by the state auditor’s office and has received a $2 million loan from the state to cover expenses through June 30, 2010.

The board also accepted a monetary donation of $1,074 from McDonald resident Robert Reizan of Deluxe Transportation, Warren. Under a program just started last month, the company donates funds for school field trips after students participate in a canned food drive by bringing in three to four cans of food for distribution in the Warren area.

The cost of renting a district school bus for some field trips, the bus driver fees and the cost of gas are covered by the company in return for the donations.

“It’s a win-win both for the kids and the district,” schools Superintendent Michael Wasser said.

The board also hired Hoffman’s Property Services, McDonald for snow removal and salting of district parking lots and driveways. Hoffman’s will be paid $315 for snow plowing and $290 for salting for each time they come out.