Yorktown Schools Superintendent to Retire

Yorktown, NY -- The Yorktown Central School District announces that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ralph Napolitano, will retire effective July 10, 2017.

Dr. Napolitano has been Superintendent at Yorktown School District for the past 11
years. Throughout his 43-year career in education in the New York metro area, he has
worked as a teacher, college professor, department chairperson, principal, assistant
superintendent and superintendent.

“I have had the privilege of working with an amazing Board of Education, an
outstanding administrative team, an excellent faculty and staff, and a wonderful group
of parents and students,” he said in a letter to faculty and staff. “I have been blessed to
work in a profession that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children.”

The Board of Education wrote a special resolution on Monday night that captured their
feelings for Dr. Napolitano. It said in part: “Dr. Napolitano has served the district with
dedication and commitment and has led it with intelligence, insight, excellence and a
sense of humor. The Board accepts Dr. Napolitano’s resignation with sadness and
expresses their deep gratitude to him for his years of distinguished service and for
positively affecting the education of students in this District. Everyone wishes him good
health, happiness and contentment as he retires from York.”

Board of Education President Ms. Jackie Carbone noted that he is such a gifted
administrator and leader who has brought so many talents to Yorktown, that he will be
a difficult person to replace.

“We will be forever grateful to Dr. Napolitano for all he has done for our Yorktown
community. He is a person of tremendous integrity and honesty, he has strengthened
and enhanced our educational programs, with a focus towards developing students who
will be caring, compassionate, contributing world citizens. As he has often said, he is a
teacher whose classroom has gotten larger as his role increased, he has taught us all so
many invaluable lessons. We are all truly better people for having had him as our leader
for the past 11 years ” she said.

During Dr. Napolitano’s tenure at Yorktown schools he has focused on developing a
curriculum for the whole child, promoting character education, encouraging physical
fitness and wellness, upgrading the district’s facilities, building and district security,
upgrading and increasing the use of technology. He has also worked hard to ensure the
vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum throughout the District’s Schools.

In 2015, the District was named a State School District of Character followed in 2016 by
being named a National School District of Character, one of only four in the country.
Leadership and Service are two of the cornerstones of a Yorktown education. Just
recently Dr. Napolitano was selected to receive a School District Leadership Award in
Character Education. It will be presented to him at the Champion of Character Banquet
in April 2017.

“During my 43 years in education, I have had the honor to touch the lives of many, many
thousands of students and have worked with more than 1,600 people whose shared
vision and mission contributed to the growth, development, and success of these
students,” Dr. Napolitano said.

While he will always be dedicated to education and children, he said it is the time to
focus on his his next chapter in his life.

“It is difficult to leave such a welcoming place as Yorktown School District where I have
come to know, love, respect and appreciate so many people. While I am not sure what
will come next in this uncharted stage of life, I know I will always look upon Yorktown as
my second home,” Dr. Napolitano said.

The Board of Education formally accepted his retirement Monday, March 6. And much
to Dr. Napolitano’s surprise the meeting room was filled with more than a hundred staff
and faculty who had heard the news of his retirement and attended to show their respect
and support for him. He received multiple long and heartfelt ovations from the
audience.