The resignation of current Superintendent Dr. Ron Sofo will be effective June 15, 2012. This means several things for not only the student body at FHS, but the Freedom Area School District as well. The role of a superintendent is one unfamiliar to some students. According to Junior Matt Koch, he is not totally sure what job responsibilities are included. “If I’m doing my job, in some ways… students won’t know who the superintendent is because that’s immaterial,” Dr. Sofo said. If students do not find major flaws in the routine of their school day, including classes, lunches and bus rides, then the superintendent is doing his job well. “My job is to make sure behind the scenes, that that somehow happens.” “From an operational standpoint, I’m sort of like a principal of the principals,” Dr. Sofo said. Dr. Sofo filled the superintendent position at Freedom in 2002, after nine years of prior experience as the assistant superintendent within the district. After making an approximately 70 mile round-trip commute to the district for 19 years, Dr. Sofo said it has truly taken its toll. “I’m not getting any younger,” Dr. Sofo said. Maintaining his “longevity in the field” of education will not be possible with the current strain of living in Pittsburgh and commuting to Freedom daily. His new job as the CEO and principal at City Charter High School will involve “cutting-edge stuff” in what Dr. Sofo considers to be public education. “All charter schools in the state of Pennsylvania are public schools,” Dr. Sofo said. Pittsburgh charter schools still have to be approved by the local school board. City Charter High School educates students in the Pittsburgh area for thousands less than nearby city schools, Dr. Sofo said. Because of the requirements similar to that of public school and the decreased cost of education, Dr. Sofo said he does not feel he has compromised his principles as an advocate for public education. With a shorter commute to and from work, Dr. Sofo plans to contribute to the educational process for another 10 years. “I want to… be vibrant as an educator.” “I’ve had 19 very, very good years here. I’ve become a better person overall and a better administrator because of my time at Freedom,” Dr. Sofo said. “I have no complaints.”