Madak Leaving His Post as Head of Lakewood Schools

 Joseph Madak, superintendent of the , is stepping down — and assistant superintendent Jeffrey Patterson is expected to be named as his replacement.

Both resolutions are on the docket for Monday night’s board of education meeting.

This is not the first time that Madak has resigned. Hired in August 2009, he previously served as the leader of the district from 1995 to 2004.

The 67-year-old Madak — whose contract allowed him to forgo his third (and final) year — said he wanted to spend more time with his wife and family, who live in California.

“During these past two years, my wife and I have lived dual lives,” he said in a statement.  

Finding Madak’s replacement is something that has been on the administration’s radar f0r a while.

“When we hired Joe, we knew that he was only going to be here a few years,” said Board President Matthew John Markling. “One of the charges he had coming in as superintendent was to have a succession plan in place.”  

Madak’s last day is slated for July 31. Patterson is expected to assume his new post Aug. 1. Until then, the two will work together on next school year’s plan.

“One of the most foremost issues on our minds is the financial picture and what the state is going to do,” Patterson said. “Near and dear to my heart, we always need to be making sure that were improving the teaching and learning process in the classroom.”