It’s not entirely unusual for Bridgeport High School Principal Mark DeFazio to meet with his staff. The message he delivered Monday morning, however, was unusual to say the least.

 

DeFazio informed his staff that the 2017-18 school year would be his last after four decades in the educational community. The long-time principal confirmed the news that he will retire, but had little to say about the decision.

 

“I thought it was important to have a principal in place before the school year is out and that the staff know who their boss will be next year,” said DeFazio, who realized it was likely going to show up on social media. “It also gives me time to help out in the transition.”

 

DeFazio’s last official day will be June 30.

 

As for why he’s retiring, DeFazio said he’ll talk about that after graduation. And there’s nothing sinister about it.

 

“We can get into everything after that time because it’s more important for these kids to have a prom, a senior assembly, graduation and I want the next month and a half to be about them,” said DeFazio.

 

DeFazio started teaching in 1978 at Norwood Junior High (the precursor to what today are middle schools). He then went to his Alma Mater to teach at R-W for a year and then spent a long time at Lincoln High School.

 

DeFazio stayed at Lincoln for 18 years. He was a teacher, a coach, and athletic director. After that, he left to become the assistant principal to long-time BHS Principal Lindy Bennett. He’s currently in his 20^th years at Bridgeport High School as the assistant or principal.

 

Check back to Connect-Bridgeport in the future for more on DeFazio.