Dr. Peter Mazurak served in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District for 25 years until his retirement in 1991, the same year that I was elected to the school board. He was the district’s business administrator for all those years, while also filling the role of board secretary.
‘Pete,’ as he was known to his friends and close associates, was an iconic example of integrity in public service. He also became engaged in educational affairs at the state level. Acquitting himself very well in all of his roles, he became known for his extensive knowledge of school business matters and educational policy. The quality of his character in all of these functions earned him the informal title of ‘Dean of School Business Administrators’ in New Jersey.
One of the toughest jobs in a school district is that of business administrator/board secretary. You get to run not only the business aspects of a school district and, since your role as board secretary requires you to be present at all of the meetings to advise the board, you can easily become entangled in school politics.
Treading your way safely along this potentially conflicting dual path of responsibilities requires brains, tact, endurance and a heavy dose of moxie. Otherwise, people begin to use you as a doormat, and the job becomes impossible.
Pete had all of those qualities and more – he was a true gentleman and a genuinely likeable person.
Note: For Dr. Mazurak’s obituary, see the October 24, 2007 Courier-News at http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071024/NEWS04/710240337/1039
No comments:
Post a Comment