The following is an article I wrote for the October 2008 issue of the Launch Pad, our school newspapper.
The man who has been the band director here at Auburn High School for the past decade is gone. Mr. Jeff Lizotte, who led the Band, Jazz Band, and Rocket Band, announced his resignation in the end of September, but remained here at AHS until Friday, October 3rd. He will be sorely missed by both his former students and fellow teachers. “It’s a good thing we don’t have to approve his letter of resignation.” said School Board chairperson Elizabeth Gribbons, “We wouldn’t let him leave.”
Mr. Lizotte will be taking over as the assistant principal at Northbridge High School, an interesting promotion for a band director. However, Lizotte got his Masters in Education and Leadership Management, and is highly qualified for his new position. He was on the NEASC committee here at AHS and has been involved in a management role in many state-wide music competitions. With Mr. Pietrello, the long-standing head of the music department, and Coach Donahue, the new vice principal here at AHS, there was little chance for him to take a management role here at AHS. So, when the offer came from Northbridge, he accepted. “I’m always going to be a musician, that’s always going to be there.” He said in an interview “But, ultimately, in my heart I feel I will be able to help a larger number of students than just those few in band this way.”
When asked what he would miss most about being the band director, Mr. Lizotte answered without hesitation; the students. Many of them he had seen grow from 5th graders into high school seniors, all the while improving at their instrument of choice. He said he would also miss the faculty here at AHS, who his considered to be almost a second family to him. Mr. Lizotte will try to continue to be a presence at Auburn band events, at least through the end of this year. When asked who he would support in a game between Northbridge and Auburn, he smiled and replied “Right now, I still support Auburn High School.”
He will be replaced by Ms. Bailey, a former chorus teacher here at AHS. Bailey has experience in a variety of instruments, and will be a fitting replacement. However, no one can replace Mr. Lizotte in our hearts and minds. Thank you, Mr. Lizotte, and good luck with your new career. You will be sorely missed.
