Scott Cooper, longtime Southwestern Central School principal, is pictured during this year’s National Honor Society induction. Cooper will retire in June 2025. Photo by Shelly Phillips

Another longtime administrator is preparing to close out their career at Southwestern Central School District.

The Board of Education accepted Principal Scott Cooper’s resignation for the purpose of retirement at its work session held June 25, 2024. Cooper, who spent a majority of his career working for the district, will spend the next year helping his Trojan family transition to new leadership.

“I have lived in Lakewood almost my whole life and believe this is the best place to educate students. I have had the experience to work with so many outstanding teachers and administrators who are dedicated to our students,” says Cooper. “Most of all, I want to give thanks to the many students and their families that have made my educational career journey so enriching.”

Cooper’s retirement decision follows that of Superintendent Maureen Donahue, who also recently announced her impending retirement. Both Cooper and Donahue are staying with the district through June 2025. Principal Richard Rybicki also retired from the middle school in June 2024.

“It is never easy to say goodbye to a wonderful educator, especially one who has been a Trojan for almost their entire life,” says Donahue. “But Scott and I are working together to ensure as seamless a transition as possible for staff and students.”

Cooper is proud to be a part of the recent community-supported building projects at SWCS, citing Donahue and the Board of Education’s vision as something that will keep the district positioned for excellence for generations to come.

“I’m also proud of the collaboration of our team to bring the use of technology to all students and the enhancement of our STEAM curriculum,” says Cooper, noting it supports graduate entering the workforce, the military or continuing in higher education. “Coupled with the STEAM curriculum, I value our partnership with Erie 2 BOCES and the support of Career & Technical Education programs.”

He cites the partnership with Jamestown Community College and The College Connections program as instrumental in providing a rigorous academic experience for Southwestern students. He takes seriously his and the district’s responsibility in preparing students for graduation and entering the world of work or college.

Cooper says he feels blessed to have spent so long – 36 years as of June 2025 – as an educator. He began his career in 1989 as a counselor at Washington Middle School in Jamestown before working as a middle school and high school counselor at Southwestern from 1990 to 2007. He was assistant principal at Southwestern High in 2007 to 2010, when he joined Frewsburg Central School District as its junior/senior high school principal. Cooper was hired by Salamanca City School District as its junior/senior high school principal in 2015, where he remained until bring named principal at Southwestern High in 2017.

Upon retirement, Cooper looks forward to spending more time with his wife, their four children and grandson, Marcello. He and wife Lisa are Southwestern grads as are their sons Josh, Chad, and Nicholas and daughter Nicole.