Superintendent Dr. Margaret Strojny recently told the School Committee she intends to retire when her contract ends in 2009.

Dr. Margaret Strojny, who has been superintendent for seven years, will be retiring in 2009.

Strojny has been the superintendent in the town for seven years. She has worked in the field of education for 36 years. Throughout her career she has been a teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent and a superintendent.

“I feel honored to have spent my life advocating for education,” said Strojny at the meeting. “The last seven years I’ve had the privilege to richen education experience.”

She thanked her staff for their dedication and talent.

“My profession has been my pleasure,” she added.

“She’s a hard worker, and she’s a bright woman,” said Chairman of the School Committee Elizabeth Hayes. “We wish her well in her retirement.”

“When the School Committee was faced with the task of hiring the new superintendent we set our standards high,” Vice Chairman of the School Committee Thomas Hamilton said. “In my eyes, seven years later, I think we still made the right choice.”

It was clear that Dr. Strojny came out the winner throughout the whole search process, Hamilton said.

“Dr. Strojny has worked very hard these past seven years, and she has made many positive changes,” said Hayes.

“I have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Strojny for seven years as an assistant principal and a principal,” said Central School Principal Gina Williams. “ Every descision she makes in in the best interest of the students.”

In her years as Superintendent of the East Bridgewater Public Schools she has helped establish new ways to think outside the box, as well as, creating new programs for the schools said Hamilton.

Hayes added, “As technology increased she brought the school district into the current web system they have now. This allows everyone to communicate and be open to the public”.

“I think she always keeps a positive attitude and approach about everything,” said Hamilton. “I think the biggest thing from my perspective as a School Committee member is that she was able to build a school district.”

She was able to take the education process and make it one continuous flow from one grade to the next, and one building to the next, Hamilton said. Since she has worked at the schools test scores have improved drastically.

 “She has jumped hurdles and climbed walls in difficult budget years and still remained positive,” said Hamilton. “She is the type of person who would step up and be held accountable and responsible for anything that went wrong in the schools.”

The task to replace Strojny looms large in the minds of School Committee members.

“I think East Bridgewater is going to miss her,” said Hamilton. “I think whoever comes in will have tough shoes to fill.”

“I’ll be sad to see her go.,” said Williams. “She’s been an excellent supervisor over the years.”