Shelton Resident and now-retired Trumbull Schools Supt. Ralph Iassogna no longer has to worry about school budgets, judging snow days or leaks in roofs on New Year's Eve.
Iassogna, who retired July 1 after 14 years as Trumbull's superintendent and 30 more in Trumbull schools, said he plans to spend time with his grandchildren, some of whom live in the area.
While he enjoyed coming to work every day, he said, "I will not miss the phone calls at 4:30 in the morning [on snowy days]."
"You are up looking at forecasts and talking to maintenance men [and other superintendents]," Iassogna said recently. And usually, somebody always accused him of making the wrong decision.
"I won't miss the budget battles," he added, noting that they are "inherent on the job."
"When you ask for things in the budget you should be able to defend them," he said.
The past several budget seasons in Trumbull have seen declining attendance at public hearings and an increasingly frustrated Board of Education.
Several board members have said there are too many gimmicks and not enough solid numbers in the last few budgets.
Iassogna said it was difficult for him to decide to retire, even with the less desirable parts of the job.
In the end, it's about educating children.
"Educators and the community have a common goal: the needs of children. We're in this together for the sake of the children," Iassogna said.
Now, facing more free time, the former superintendent says he'll probably take a year to think about what to do next. He has been known to play golf, but he also loves to watch baseball. His son, Dan, is a Major League Baseball umpire.
Iassogna has five children and seven grandchildren.
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