East Chicago’s school superintendent has announced his retirement, effective July 29.
Known as “Dr. Joe” – or, depending on the community, “Dr. Jose” or “Brother Joe” — Youssef Yomtoob announced his resignation to the School Board of Trustees during its Monday evening meeting. He has been in East Chicago for two years.
More Top Picks Best Draft Guards
Yomtoob, who turns 77 July 10, said his age and the school city’s turnaround were the signs he could finally retire.
“When I came here two years ago, I had certain goals, and we’ve reached them,” Yomtoob said Tuesday. “I’ve been working 52 years now, and my health is great, so I think my work here is done.”
When Yomtoob arrived in 2014, the School City was smothering under debt and low test scores, among other problems.
“We were $6 million to $7 million in debt with the bus service and racking up $3.5 million more each year,” he said. “For the first time, the budget is almost balanced, and we changed the culture to be more inclusive. And everyone has been cooperative.”
He and his wife, Parichehr, recently returned from a trip to Morocco, and the two of them decided it’s time for him to devote more time to their passion for traveling and being able to stay at their winter home in Arizona for more than two weeks. He said he’ll miss East Chicago.
“This place is special to my heart. The McDonald’s on Columbus, where I’d get a hot tea or Diet Coke, I go there every day,” he said. “My time here was great, and I’m very proud of the achievements we’ve made – teachers, administrators, students, everyone.”
Assistant Superintendent Paige McNulty said Yomtoob will be missed.
“He’s been tremendous and definitely helped,” she said. “He raised expectations and stabilized the budget. We’re solid now.”
School Board of Trustees President Joel Rodriguez said Yomtoob managed to change the mindset of the entire city to one of inclusiveness, while Board member Jesse Gomez, who spearheaded the search committee in 2014, said he couldn’t think of a person whom Yomtoob didn’t touch in some way.
“When we were searching, I tried to find dirt on this guy, and there was none to be found,” Gomez said. “He had some very high expectations, and he not only met them, but exceeded them.
“He took us from our dark days to some of our best days.”
Gomez said plans to start a search for a new superintendent have yet to be determined. Terms of Yomtoob’s severance weren’t immediately available.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.