Fashano Retires As Jamestown School Superintendent

JPS Appoints Kathman As Superintendent

By S. Alexander Gerould agerould@post-journal.com
When July comes around, Deke Kathman will have a new title hanging by his door. At Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education meeting Tuesday, board members appointed Kathman, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, to the position of superintendent effective July 1. Kathman, who was given a contract through 2013 and a $159,000 base salary, will replace Ray Fashano, who announced his retirement during the meeting. ‘‘Mr. Kathman has roots in Jamestown and more importantly a vast knowledge in all areas of the Jamestown Public Schools,’’ said Joe Pawelski, board president. ‘‘His knowledge and passion for education, along with his experience in our district, will allow him to hit the ground running. The board has the upmost confidence in Mr. Kathman’s abilities to run the Jamestown schools.’’ Kathman has been with the Jamestown district since 1987, where he has served in his current position since 2003. He has also served as director of elementary education from 1990 to 2003 and as a principal at Love Elementary School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mercyhurst College, a master’s degree in educational psychology and a certificate in advanced studies in education administration from Edinboro University and worked as a building principal in Berlin, Pa., an elementary teacher in North East, Pa., and a teacher aid in the city of Erie. ‘‘I’m humbled by the confidence the Board of Education has expressed in me by making this appointment, and I will work diligently to advance their pursuit of excellence in all facets of our district’s operation,’’ Kathman said. ‘‘I have had a great role model to emulate in Mr. Fashano, and I look forward to the challenges that the superintendency will bring.’’ Fashano, who has served as superintendent in Jamestown since 1999 after stints in the Panama Central School District, Keshequa School District in Nunda, N.Y. and as director of national sales in the educational market for Dynacom Integrated Information System, said he has entertained the idea of retiring for a couple of months. ‘‘My thoughts are it’s time to do it,’’ he said. ‘‘It took me a couple of months to wrestle with it.’’ According to a news release from the district, accomplishments in the district during Fashano’s tenure include building a greater focus on student achievement, multiple capital improvement projects, rebuilding the schools’ athletic and music areas, infusing technology into the work and learning environment, creating the Tech Academy, forming the Jamestown High School school-based health center, actively lobbying for school reform, creating after-school programs in the district and creating a records management initiative. ‘‘Although I look forward to my retirement, Jamestown Public Schools and the city of Jamestown is my home,’’ Fashano said. ‘‘I attended elementary and junior high school and also graduated from Jamestown High School. After college, I stayed in the area to teach at Jamestown High School. My career began here as a science teacher, and it is fitting that I close my career as a superintendent in the school district I love.’’ Fashano has also been active in the community, serving as vice-president for the Downtown Jamestown Development Corp. on its train station and finance committees. He also is a member of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission, and he is active with CODE, Chautauqua Opportunities and the Jamestown Community Learning Council. Fashano has also worked with the United Way, Chautauqua Health Cooperative, Weed and Seed, American Red Cross and the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club. ‘‘I’m elated I’ve had the opportunity to come home, but nine years is a good run in a small city,’’ Fashano said. ‘‘Twenty years as a superintendent is a long time.’’ Fashano also praised the board’s decision to appoint Kathman as superintendent. ‘‘I think the board ... has chosen a very good successor,’’ he said. Kathman said he never aspired to be in the position he is now, and he is humbled by the board’s decision. He said discussion into him taking over started almost three months ago, and he is anxious to support the students and staff of the district. ‘‘I know I have some extraordinary shoes to fill, and I will do my best. I’m very excited about it,’’ Kathman said. ‘‘I’ve had the same line all the way through in Jamestown — I’m the improvement guy.’’