V.S. 24 superintendent to retire by end of school year

Valley Stream District 24’s school administration will face a major shakeup entering the new year as Superintendent Don Sturz, who guided the district through the disruptions and learning losses of the Covid-19 pandemic, will be retiring June 30. The announcement came in the middle of the district’s end-of-year business board of education meeting Dec. 14, which Sturz did not attend.

“We got a letter from Dr. Sturz that he’s decided that he is going to retire by the end of the year,” said Board President John Maier, addressing the audience. “It’s sad to us and sad to you guys. He’s done a great job here and gotten us through the pandemic. Hopefully, we can find someone that can fill the big shoes that he’s leaving behind.”

Sturz was appointed as superintendent roughly four years ago and has been working in school administration for over two decades in both public and private schools, with his career focused mainly on students with disabilities. He attended Hofstra University, where he earned a dual doctorate in clinical and school psychology.