High School principal retires after 28 years William Pileggi has seen a complete changeover of administration, the opening of a new junior/senior high school and the creation of vice principal positions at both the elementary and high schools during his 28 years with the Holley Central School District. Now, after nearly three decades, Pileggi has retired from his position as principal of Holley Middle School/High School and is serving as interim principal until his replacement is found. I've been working in Holley over half my life and it's become a way of life for me," said Pileggi. "The relationships I've developed over the years are invaluable. In fact, many of the students I have now are children of students I had years ago." Pileggi, a native of Haverstraw, New York, about a half-hour from New York City, came to the area to attend SUNY Brockport. His first job out of college was teaching middle level social studies in Albion. In 1974, Pileggi took a position as guidance counselor in the Holley Junior High School, which is where the elementary school is now located. The following year Holley Junior/Senior High School opened and he served as guidance counselor for grades 7-12. In 1981, Pileggi became the district's first vice principal. He was challenged to develop consistency in the rules, which resulted in a Code of Conduct for grades 7-12. Seven years later, Pileggi was named middle school principal, a position he held for 11 years. "We were charged with the formation of a completely new school at that time. The middle school was in the same building as the high school, but needed to be a separate entity," he said. "Grades 6, 7 and 8 were on one side of the building and 9-12 on the other. It was quite an accomplishment." Over the past four years, Pileggi has served as principal of both the middle school and high school. "I've seen a complete change in staff and a lot of growth in this district over the years," he said. "Holley has done nothing but move in a positive direction." Pileggi will be missed not only by the middle and high school staff, but throughout the district. "Bill has served the district, community and students faithfully during his time in Holley," said Superintendent Vernon Hobbs. "On behalf of the district, I thank him sincerely for his dedicated services in a variety of administrative roles. Bill will be missed." Pileggi, a Albion resident, is father to three grown children, Matthew, 26, Megan, 23, and Casey, 21, and has one grandson, Chase. |
