The Mayer School Board accepted Supt. Pat Dallabetta's resignation during a special meeting on Aug. 24.
That's not to say that the man teachers and students refer to as "Dr. D." won't have plenty to do. He plans to continue his hobby of restoring historic cars, and finish a children's book he is writing about a Hopi child, among a long list of other activities. Dallabetta's wife retired from her position as a hospital administrator this past year and he said he wants to spend more time with her, and with the rest of his family.
Dallabetta said he told the board last spring that he was considering retirement, and that they should start thinking about getting a new superintendent.
"I came to Mayer as an interim superintendent and never expected to stay four years. However, this has been a great experience," he said.
Dallabetta has spent most of his career in education in administration, including serving as superintendent in several larger districts. He has consulted part time since 1985, and several failing school districts tapped him to help them rebuild. He opened new schools, mentored principals, and taught varied graduate level classes for Northern Arizona University.
He tried the retirement life in 2001, but then took on the Mayer District.
Despite ongoing budget problems that Mayer and virtually every other school district in Arizona has faced (besides his duties as superintendent, Dallabetta is saving money by serving as the Jr/Sr High School principal and is responsible for special projects and grants), he said he has seen many improvements in the district during his tenure.
"Our community showed its support by passing the first bond issue in many years to help fix its facilities. The district has achieved compliance in federal projects and special education, and has been very successful in acquiring many very competitive grants, the latest of which was the highly desirable 21st Century Learning Community Grant for the Mayer Elementary School," he said.
The 21st Century grant will provide a Friday program for elementary students to get academic help and participate in a number of enrichment programs.
Additionally, Dallabetta said, the teaching staff this year is "easily the strongest and most competent staff" he has seen since coming to Mayer. The district has implemented several new programs, all of which should help the students perform better academically, he said.
Dallabetta also had high praise for the district's board members.
"The Mayer School District is lucky to have an absolutely outstanding governing board," said Dallabetta. "(The members) care about education and welfare of the students. It is not easy to be a board member in a time when political turmoil over budget issues had kept schools from its main purpose of properly educating the students."
Despite the budget situation in the State of Arizona, Dallabetta said he believes the Mayer school system has a bright future. "We have a great staff of teachers and support personnel, excellent district office staff, a good elementary principal, and strong community leaders in the governing board."
