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February 28, 2003/Adar1 26 5763, Vol. 55, No. 27
High school headmaster to retire
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Jay Schechter has announced his retirement in June from the position of headmaster at Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School.
This month marked his third anniversary as headmaster for the school, which opened in fall 2001.
"He's done a miraculous job," said Deborah Harris, board president. "He basically came here with a piece of paper and pencil and created a school. That's pretty amazing."
Harris credited Schechter with being an "integral" part of the school, but also said the school will be able to carry on its high standards with the quality faculty Schech-ter has put in place.
In a letter sent to parents on Feb. 25, Schechter stated that he and his wife Debbie, a teacher and special projects coordinator at the Phoenix Hebrew Academy, would be returning to New York to be with their family, which includes their parents, three sons and five grandchildren.
"He's done a great job and he's done so at a great personal cost," said Harris. "When he came here he had two grandchildren, he now has five. ... We certainly understand his desire to spend more time with his family."
Both Jay and Debbie Schechter plan to continue their work in education once they return to New York. After leaving his current post, Schechter plans to provide consultation services to the high school, particularly about college placement.
"I will always be with these young people and I will always be part of this wonderful organization," said Schechter.
Schechter said he is proud of what he and the board of the school have achieved in three years.
"I worked with a wonderful board of directors who dreamed of the school way before I was ever thought of. I was honored and privileged to serve with them," he said. "We built a great school. We have a world-class faculty, a curriculum that matches the best high schools in the United States, a wonderful student body and a great parent organization."
There is an internal transition team - made up of staff and board members - in place until a new headmaster is found.
The school has 34 students in grades nine through 11, and will add a senior class this fall. The school is currently located on the campus of Temple Chai in Phoenix.
Contact the Writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.
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