Livingston Superintendent Announces Retirement

Livingston Superintendent Dr. Brad Draeger announced his retirement during Monday's Board of Education meeting, effective at the end of the school year.

“The past seven years have been the most professionally rewarding of my life and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to lead and serve this wonderful school district,” Draeger said in a letter to the Livingston Board of Education.  “From the moment my family and I arrived in Livingston, we have felt welcomed and accepted by a community that truly values education.”

Draeger joined Livingston Public Schools on April 1, 2006, following a stint in the Fairfax school district.  His resignation is effective July 31, 2013 and will cap a 38-year career in public service.

“When I was hired, my mission was to keep this great school district moving forward and build on its excellent quality, despite adverse economic conditions,” said Draeger.  I am proud that during my tenure, despite this being one of the worst economic crisis of the century, we have never lost sight of that mission and have never wavered from our Strategic Plan.”

BOE member Bonnie Granatir, whose term ends at the end of this calendar year, said that her most “grateful” moment of being on the Board of Education was being part of the search committee who hired Draeger.

“I remember the night you came in to interview with us, we had to basically hold ourselves in our seats and not just go out and grab you and get you to sign the contract that night,” Granitir told Draeger following his announcement.  “It was so clear that you were the leader that we needed in this community because we were hungry for leadership.  From the day you have come into this district, I have felt that we have consistently moved forward.”

Fellow outgoing board member Chuck Granata voiced how pleased he was that Draeger stayed with the district following his first retirement announcement in 2009.  Granata was the Board President at the time.

“I don’t think I have ever met anyone with more integrity, more candor, with more professionalism,” Granata told Draeger on Monday.  “It’s not just about education; it’s also about being a good business leader, being a good educational professional and being a good person.”

Draeger said he was looking to the next chapter in his life and mostly looking forward to spending time with his family.

 “Decisions to leave are never without reflection, but this is also an exciting opportunity for me to write another chapter in my life,” Draeger said. “Many years ago I was faced with a similar decision when I left a position I loved as an extremely successful professional musician and music educator to become a school administrator.  It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made, as was accepting the position as Superintendent of Livingston Public Schools.”