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School Superintendent Looks Back On Career At B.A.S.D.
A top educator is moving on after finding that being the top guy ain't easy. After 37 years in education, the last seven of them in Bethlehem, today was the last day for Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Joseph Lewis. WFMZ's Bo Koltnow reports on Lewis' ups and downs.  >> REPORTER: Today Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Lewis said his goodbyes.. took some minor ribbing while wrapping last minute details. After more than 7 years on the job,-Lewis is leaving the Bethlehem School District for a position at Moravian College.  Emotion at least during the past several years seems to have blanketed Lewis's tenure. From protests over the lack of Hispanics on the school board. To recent rallies against tough budget cuts.. costing 45 teachers their jobs and several programs their lives. Many pointed to "so called" risky financial moves the district made that ended belly up during last falls financial crisis-as the reason for the budget shortfall. Those moves also lead to a state investigation. 

>> DR. LEWIS: Certainly our portfolio was out of balance. I regret I was not astute enough to recognize our portfolio was out of balance. 

>> REPORTER: Lewis does point out that investments are now starting to pay off for the district. Dr. Lewis says his biggest challenge came here at Nitschmann Middle School. When Principal John Acera was busted for selling drugs in his office. 

>> DR. LEWIS: It was the darkest hour of my career. 

>> REPORTER: Hours that included heavy scrutiny from both media and parents. 

>> You had to know something 

>> REPORTER Lewis said he's proud of how he and the district handled the situation. He says his number 1 accomplishment is the district being recognized by the state for educational improvment. His biggest? Lewis says its the completion of Broughal Middle school. 

>> DR. LEWIS: Those two events really cement for my I think a very exciting career. 

>> REPORTER: Lewis who this week took a final tour of area schools says he's leaving with a budget agreement in place, a restructured district financial plan..but he says walking away from staff and students was a different sort of challenge altogether. 

>> DR. LEWIS: I was in a math class. It was really invigorating. It puts your priorities back in place.

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