Fyffe resigns post as Sayreville super
Board committee to begin talks on replacement
BY JOHN DUNPHY
Staff Writer

Sayreville’s top school official is taking his final bow.

Dennis Fyffe announced last week he is retiring from his position as superintendent of schools, a post he has held since 2000.

Previously serving as assistant superintendent and, before that, principal of Sayreville War Memorial High School, Fyffe has served the district for 15 years and has worked in education for nearly 35 years.

Fyffe said yesterday he simply felt this was a good time to begin his retirement, something he has been considering for some time.

Board of Education Presi-dent Al Cox said Fyffe notified the board of his retirement in a letter. He described it as a personal decision by Fyffe, whose contract with the school district runs through 2006. The contract, approved in June 2003, resulted in a backlash from members of the public due to the significant raise it gave Fyffe over three years.

Board member Arthur Rittenhouse said Fyffe’s decision did not appear to be related to the contract issue.

“At a certain point in time, people decide to retire,” he said. “When someone accomplishes a lot, it’s nice to go out on top.”

Fyffe said he can retire with many accomplishments under his belt.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Fyffe, 58, said of his decision. “Frankly, I accomplished two major things that I really wanted to accomplish before I left. Having done those, I felt it was time to go.”

As Rittenhouse also pointed out, one of those recent accomplishments was this year’s opening of the Upper Elementary School on Ernston Road. As superintendent, Fyffe had presented the option as a possible solution for the continued overcrowding in the schools and worked to see it through to completion.

“It’s a testament to his leadership,” he said.

Fyffe also referred to the special education collaborative he secured with the Middlesex County Education Services Commission. The agreement resulted in the Sayreville district being able to keep local students with special needs in the borough’s schools, thereby saving the district money by not having to pay for costly transportation services and out-of-district tuition.

Fyffe said he has also been directly involved in furthering the district’s technological capabilities. Where seven years ago computer access was severely limited, Fyffe said students now have 100 percent accessibility.

Although Fyffe said his retirement had been discussed previously with the board, Rittenhouse said the announcement still came as a bit of a surprise.

Fyffe is expected to remain active as superintendent until January.

Cox said a committee has been established with board members to soon begin the process of choosing Fyffe’s successor.

Rittenhouse said the board would be discussing the issue at its next public meeting, scheduled for Nov. 16.

Fyffe’s exit, he said, would not in any way hamper the board’s ability to run the district.

“We’re fine,” he said.

As for the future, Fyffe said he plans to take it easy for a little while before making any major decisions, although consulting work or interim administrative work are options.

“I have time,” he said. “I’m not in a hurry.”

“I wish [Fyffe] well in his retirement,” Cox said. “He’s a good administrator and a good friend. I’m sad to see him go.”

Fyffe’s 2003 contract would have eventually brought his salary to $178,000. The board’s majority said at the time that his salary needed to be brought in line with those of superintendents in similar school districts.