Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Ron-Bienkowski-business-school

Full Text:

New School Business Director Comes With Credentials

(with photo)

BY ANN MARIE COHEN

At a recent board of education meeting, members approved the appointment of

Ronald J. Bienkowski to become the Newtown district's next business director.

Mr Bienkowski will assume the position that John Torok, Jr, resigned from last

month. Mr Bienkowski is currently the business manager of Ridgefield public

schools with an annual salary of $109,000 a year. He has held this job since

1991. His salary in Newtown will be $90,000 a year.

Though he says taking a salary cut was a tough decision, the 47-year-old Mr

Bienkowski says he values living and working closer to home. He lives on Great

Ring Road in Sandy Hook with his wife, Gloria, and their two young sons,

three-week-old John, and Ryan, 5.

Prior to serving the Ridgefield community, Mr Bienkowski served as business

manager for the Pomperaug Regional School District 15 in Middlebury and

Southbury from 1981-1990 and business manager for the Nonnewaug Regional

School District 14 in Bethlehem and Woodbury from 1976-1981. In 1975, he spent

one year as business manager in the Shelton Public Schools, his high school

alma mater where he graduated with honors in 1969.

Mr Bienkowski received his formal education in New England where he earned his

MBA in finance and a graduate fellowship for academic excellence at the

University of New Haven. He earned his BS in business administration at

Northeastern University in Boston, where he graduated with honors.

He is also a research committee member of the Association of School Business

Officials where he has held all offices and has been a director since 1978. He

has presented and organized school business management seminars throughout

Connecticut.

His many diverse interests outside of work include a love of antique cars,

auto racing, biking, carpentry, photography, travel and scuba diving.

Mr Bienkowski says he looks forward to participating in solving the needs of

the community. Both Dr John Reed, superintendent of Newtown schools, and

Newtown school board members concluded that Mr Bienkowski is a highly

experienced business manager who will provide leadership continuity in the

coming years.