Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘Agent of change’
School board members, administrators honor retiring Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline Jr.
EAST CALN » At his last school board meeting after eight years as the leader, Downingtown Area School District Superintendent Lawrence J. Mussoline Jr. received a show of appreciation.
The staff and school board members honored Mussoline on Wednesday during the “superintendent’s report, applause, applause” portion of the meeting when Mussoline enjoys recognizing the efforts by the faculty and the accomplishments by students.
Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center Thomas Mulvey and teacher Jeff Singleton sang to Mussoline with the help of other staff members who played instruments dur-
ing their two-song performance. They both wrote their own songs and sang about how Mussoline loves the school board, they noted several academic programs that came to fruition under his leadership and included humor from the time they worked together.
Mulvey said a school project known as “agent of change,” meaning to break barriers and be the change to make a difference in the lives of others, reflects Mussoline personally and professionally.
“Not only did you coin that term, but more than any other person I’ve worked with, you are an agent of change,” Mulvey said to Mussoline.
The school board members presented Mussoline with an award, similar to the one he distributes to staff members for living out his motto to “make a difference.” The honor is an apple trophy, but his was much bigger, because the board members said he made the biggest difference.
Downingtown area school board president Colleen Cranney recommended renaming the Knowledge Commons at the STEM Academy to the Dr. Lawrence Mussoline Knowledge Commons effective July 1. The nine-member board unanimously approved it. He said he was humbled and thankfully to have the study room named after him. Mussoline was instrumental in the opening of the STEM Academy for the 2011-12 school year. The school was nationally ranked as the number one school in Pennsylvania for the second consecutive year. Downingtown’s two other high schools – East and West – also ranked on the list by the Washington Post. Mussoline also oversaw the opening of the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center for the 201415 school year.
“You have been a true leader, a visionary for our district,” Cranney said. “You really have made an impact over your eight years, and we’re certainly going to miss you.”
Cranney additionally presented Mussoline with a citation for his 36 years in education from the House of Representatives, sponsored by state representatives Eric Roe, Becky Corbin, Harry Lewis Jr. and Tim Hennessey.
School board member Jane Bertone, who served as president during Mussoline’s tenure, said his leadership “encouraged us to raise the bar and we have in many ways.”
“Larry, you continuously reminded us on the board that we are here to put the students first and do what’s right for them,” Bertone said.
Bertone, who was one of the board members who appointed Mussoline, noted how he inspired the principals and teachers of the district’s 16 schools and they encouraged students to become involved in community service. She also recalled passionate debates during some board meetings.
“Dr. Mussoline and I hadn’t always agreed on everything affecting his district,” Bertone said with a smile, and Mussoline laughed. “We’ve had many conversations, some heated over the years. I’d say everyone in this room has experienced a tough debate or two. But in all those discussions I also learned a great deal from you. Thank you for these past eight years.”
At the end of each board meeting, Mussoline announces the school district enrollment number which like many years, has steadily increased during the 2016-17. With an additional 337 students since last June, Downingtown, the largest school district in Chester County, has 12,682 students.
Mussoline said the heightened growth is coming to Downingtown. He gave his best wishes to Emilie M. Lonardi who becomes the next superintendent on July 1. Lonardi joins Downingtown from the West York Area School District after serving 19 years as the superintendent.
“Larry, you continuously reminded us on the board that we are here to put the students first and do what’s right for them.” — Downingtown school board member Jane Bertone
President of the Downingtown Area Education Association Craig Krusen thanked Mussoline on behalf of the union for working together because “we are in a much better position now.” He also thanked Mussoline for how he made him a better leader.
In addition to thanking Krusen, the school board members, teachers and administrators for their efforts, Mussoline publically thanked the parents of his students.
Mussoline considered himself lucky to have met and worked with the people he has, and that “it’s just been wonderful to be here.”