Sparta School District Superintendent Dennis Tobin retires
BY LIAM DONOVAN
SPARTA — Schools Superintendent Dennis Tobin took the floor at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting to announce his retirement.
“As I enter my 35th year in education and 19th at Sparta, I have made the difficult decision to retire,” Tobin said. “It’s time for a change, for me and the school district.”
Tobin had been serving as superintendent since 2012. Prior to that he had been Sparta High School principal since 2008 and has held various positions throughout the district from high school teacher and coach to Helen Morgan principal.
Some of Tobin’s accomplishments in the district include upholding the district’s consistently high standards and achievements as superintendent, overseeing the upgrade and renovations of Sparta High School as its principal, and holding the fort as Helen Morgan School principal during the 9/11 attacks.
“The decision was a difficult one, with mixed emotion,” Tobin said. “I no longer can invest the time to do the job properly, the way I have been, the only way I know how. Things will continue to be very strong for Sparta.”
The board approved Tobin’s resignation, Resolution No. PP 09-17, which officially read: “The Board of Education approves, with regret, the resignation of Mr. Dennis Tobin, Superintendent of Schools, effective December 1, 2016.”
“I’d like to amend PP 09-17, with deep regret,” Board member Karen Scott said.
"As a parent I want to thank you very much for everything you've done," said Gil Gibbs during the public portion of the meeting. Gibbs is also a member of the Sparta Township Council.
Tobin’s contract as superintendent began July 1, 2012 and was scheduled to last five years. His position as superintendent had a salary of $167,500, the cap for a superintendent under legislation pushed by Gov. Chris Christie. The current assistant superintendent of the Sparta School District is Dr. Daniel Johnson.
Tobin has a legacy in Sussex County, especially in sports, as only the 23rd player in New Jersey high school basketball to ever surpass 2,000 points in his career. His son Matt Tobin set the county record for high school career points scored in 2011 with 2,350. Both Tobins played basketball for Hopatcong High School.