Fila looks back on long career

LYNN – Andrew Fila can fill a library with tales of his 40-plus years as an employee in the Lynn Public School system.The English High School principal has seen thousands of students off to college, and hired many of those same students to their first teaching jobs four years later.He has formed alliances and tussled with rivals, cleaned up a neighborhood and helped build an administrative and academic team to lead his alma mater into the MCAS era.But for a man who takes pride in doing things on his own terms, it wasn’t until his friend and long-time colleague Nicholas Kostan announced he would retire as superintendent last month that Fila finally decided that it was his time to step aside as well, although the 67-year-old has stopped short of calling it retirement.Fila told Kostan and school board members earlier this month that he would not renew his contract, which expires Aug. 31.”We’ll see. Chronologically I guess I am at that appropriate age (for retirement), but I feel great,” Fila said Monday, back in his office after a week in Florida. “Nick and I have talked over the last few years (about retirement) and I knew he was thinking about it and so was I. I want a smooth transition to take place, and I know Nick will do a good job and pick the appropriate person.”Although he would not name names, Fila says he has a replacement in mind, and hopes that Kostan will post the position soon and make a decision before he leaves the superintendent post after the first of the year.Fila wants to keep his team intact once he leaves in August, and hopes to have his successor work under him this year, much in the same way Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. hoped to name an interim superintendent to work with Kostan.”We have a great team in place, we have a plan in place for the MCAS, a lot of attention has been paid to that,” he said. “There should be continuity here, we are moving in the right direction. The best thing to do is have an open process and I trust that the best person will be chosen.”Fila began his career in 1965 as a substitute teacher and began teaching full time two years later. His first move into administration came in 1981 when he was appointed vice principal of what was then called Eastern Junior High, now Marshall Middle School.Fila credits Eastern’s principal at the time, Dr. Phil Gandolpho, for noticing his leadership qualities and giving him a chance at the job. Fila went on to be principal at Eastern and eventually took over at English in 2000, keeping his former boss in mind as he hired in some of his former students throughout the years.At English he worked to clean up the hallways and the neighboring streets, reeling in what had been a notoriously undisciplined student body. Academically, the school is the only secondary school in the city to be fully accredited, and MCAS scores have continued to improve, showing gains for five straight years.Known for his straight-talk personality, Fila has fearlessly challenged the authority of mayors, superintendents and school committee members in an effort to fight for what he feels is right. As he approaches the end of his reign at English, his fire and confidence is ever-present as he reflects on his career.”I have always done what I think is best for the kids, regardless of what anyone else thinks,” he said. “I just tell the truth.”With Kostan’s post open, Fila says being superintendent is not the job for him, and he is not looking to upgrade his position. At the same time, he isn’t going to disappear after next August.”We have a great staff, a great bunch of kids and a lot of support from the administration. If you look at the two jobs that are going to be open (English principal and superintendent) I will take this job every time. This is the best job in the city,” he said.” I enjoy what I am doing. I am still going to be around (after August). I’ve got 67 down and 67 to go.”