Lynn superintendent Kostan to retire

LYNN – On a night when School Committee members discussed uncertainty in the budget going forward, Superintendent Nicholas Kostan announced that someone else would be leading the administration into the next round of financial negotiations this winter.After 38 years in the Lynn Public Schools, the last seven spent as Superintendent, Kostan announced Thursday that he would officially retire from his post after the first of the year.Kostan did not set a hard date for his last day on the job, but told committee members that he would like to retire as close to Jan. 1, 2009 as possible.”I have had a great opportunity here and I want to thank the Mayor, the present School Committee and all past committees that I have worked with for giving me the opportunity to be superintendent of schools,” he said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the City of Lynn, and especially the kids, for the past seven years.”School Committee members responded to Kostan’s announ-cement with a standing ovation and a slew of kind words for a man many referred to as an inspirational and compassionate educator.”It has been said that you were the ‘man among many who never fought with any,'” said Committee Vice Chair Patricia Capano. “You are the single most capable man and I am both impressed an inspired by you.”Former Lynn Woods Principal and Committee member Vincent Spirito lamented about time spent as Kostan’s friend and colleague and said the department would miss his genuine concern for every student.”You are a very compassionate man and I feel the most important feature is that you really care about kids,” he said.Kostan worked his way through the Lynn Public Schools as a teacher, vice principal and eventually principal at Breed Middle School and Classical High School before he was appointed deputy superintendent in 1999.He was then selected to take over for the embattled James Mazareas in 2002, repairing what many deemed as irreversible communication problems within the department.School Committee members praised Kostan Thursday for his leadership through the first years of the MCAS era in Massachusetts and for “helping lead Lynn Public Schools in to the 21st Century.””I don’t think that any person has served in that position for any amount of time and brought such a quiet dignity, a professionalism and wore his big heard on his sleeve,” said Committee Chair Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. “We are a poorer school system and a poorer community without Nick’s class and dignity. This is kind of a sad night.”Kostan said he would remain with the department for the next few months to help with the transition to his yet-to-be-named successor.”I did not get enough time to get to know the superintendent, but I can tell that he is a very gentle person and a gentleman and a friend,” said first-year Committee member Maria Carrasco. “He was the first person to call me and say ‘if you need anything, Maria, I am here.’ “