Dr. Harry Jaroslaw said he was having trouble sleeping last Wednesday night. That's because he knew that, at the next night's board meeting, he would be announcing his resignation.

It is an announcement that did not come as a surprise since many speculated he would be retiring soon. However, it was still an announcement that was difficult for the superintendent to make.

Dr. Jaroslaw's career in education spanned 45 years, 27 of which were spent as a superintendent with about half of those 27 years as the superintendent of the Mineola School District.

"For me, it's been a good run, but it's time," said Dr. Jaroslaw.

The superintendent said he takes pride in how far the district has come over the past 13 years and attributed that journey to the work of his colleagues.

During his tenure as superintendent of the Mineola Schools, Dr. Jaroslaw was named the 1993 Administrator of the Year by the Nassau Music Educator's Association. In 1994, he was named Administrator of the Year by the Long Island Teachers of Foreign Languages and in 1999-2000, he served as the president of the Nassau Council of School Superintendents.

However, one of the things he is most proud of is working with the faculty and staff and student body. He said that the 3,000 students in the district know who he is. Since they couldn't pronounce his name, Dr. Jaroslaw simply became known as "Dr. J."

The superintendent also spoke of a bad injury he sustained several years ago and how cards, books and flowers came pouring in from community members. "You don't forget things like that," he said.

Dr. Jaroslaw said he will remain in the position until the end of the summer and will help the board find a replacement. Although board members will eventually name someone to succeed him, they feel Dr. Jaroslaw's shoes will be tough ones to fill. "We'll get a new superintendent, but we'll never replace you," said Board of Education President John McGrath.

"While I am happy for Dr. Jaroslaw, I am also very sad. His retirement is our loss," said Board of Education member RoseAnn Buglione.

"I've been thinking about it a lot. It was something that was on my mind," said Dr. Jaroslaw about his retirement. "There's a lot to think about. You kind of look at your life and this part of it will be over."

By the time Dr. Jaroslaw retires, he will have spent over 13 years in the Mineola School District. "That's a long time for a superintendent to serve in Long Island," he said.

Dr. Jaroslaw said he is proud of what the schools were able to accomplish. He thanked his colleagues and the board members who served. "I've been very fortunate throughout the years," he added.

The superintendent wasn't the only one to retire from the school district. The board of education also accepted the resignation for the purposes of retirement of Anthony Gulli, director of health, physical education and athletics for the district. Mr. Gulli has been with the Mineola Schools since 1987 and his tenure will end at the end of June.

Mrs. Buglione said Gulli has been wonderful for the district. He really enhanced the level of health education in the Mineola Schools, she said.

In addition, Michael Terc, assistant principal at Mineola High School, also announced his retirement. Terc has been with the district during five decades, having begun in Mineola in 1969. Board member Gia Lynne Hall remembers Terc as her math teacher in Mineola Junior High School and said he had a wonderful influence on her life.