Walton school superintendent Austin retires

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July 26, 2012

Walton school superintendent Austin retires

By Mark Boshnack Staff Writer The Daily Star Thu Jul 26, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

Walton Central School Superintendent Thomas Austin recently announced his retirement after more than 31 years in educational administration. The move, effective Sept. 1, will allow him to follow an opportunity that recently arose.

Austin became Walton superintendent in 2008. He previously served as business manager at Oneonta City School District for 15 years. Before that he was business manager at Walton.

Austin notified the Walton Board of Education of his decision in a letter dated July 19, saying it was with "mixed emotions" that he was taking the position of assistant to the executive director of the New York State School Insurance Reciprocal. It's an organization owned and governed by hundreds of schools across the state, providing property and casualty insurance to members. He has been on the board of the organization for more than a decade and was scheduled to be president of the organization next year.

He recently turned 55 and was eligible to retire. When the opportunity arose, it was not something he was looking for, "but (it) caught my interest," he said.

He will miss the Walton district, but he will not be leaving the area. Austin said he will be working from home and traveling when necessary.

"I have regrets about leaving, but I'm glad for the opportunity," he said.

The district faces challenges in such areas as state funding and meeting increasing state requirements. However, "I'm confident in the staff that is there," to deal with the issues.

The board of education is scheduled to make an appointment Aug. 7 to replace Austin on an interim basis.

Board Vice President James Hoyt said it is considering a couple of people to take over until a regular search can be completed. "It will take a while," he said. In commenting on Austin's tenure, Hoyt said, "He has been a very effective superintendent who has done a lot for the district," in his current position and previously as business manager.