Dr. Samuel Scarnato
Dr. Samuel Scarnato, 85, former superintendent of New Orleans Public Schools, passed away peacefully in his home on Feb. 16.
A first-generation Italian-American born on Sept. 25, 1929, he was the eldest son of Serafino and Filomena Scarnato; beloved husband of Nancy Ryan Scarnato, whom he married in 1958; devoted father to one son and four daughters, and grandfather to 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. Scarnato is also survived by his brother and his four sisters, Butler natives, Peter Scarnato, Rose Scarnato McGiffen, Isabel (John) Navolio, Barbara (Mike) DiPippa, and Lucy (George) Rotunda.
Dr. Scarnato devoted his life to education, serving in many capacities from classroom teacher and building principal to assistant superintendent and superintendent of public schools.
Before choosing a career in education, he chased his dream of playing baseball. A gifted athlete, he made it to the minor league farm team, the Butler Yankees. He then turned his ambition toward coaching, which combined his love for sports and children and his natural ability to lead.
He was a 1947 graduate of Butler High School and the 1990 honoree of the Distinguished Butler High Graduate Award.
A 1951 graduate of Slippery Rock University, he began his teaching career at West Sunbury School District. He received a Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1955 and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1967.
In 1972, Dr. Scarnato was lured to New Orleans with a position created for him as deputy superintendent to work on staff desegregation. During this tenure, he was instrumental in creating the Energy Conservation Program, expansion of Special Education Services, Asbestos Investigation, and helping to found the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.
In 1983, Dr. Scarnato left New Orleans to become superintendent of the St. Louis Special School District. There he was instrumental in restoring public confidence and integrity to a system in turmoil with fiscal deficits.
He returned to New Orleans as chief executive officer and retired from that position in 1991. Upon his return, he worked to establish the Louisiana Association of School Executives and assisted the Teacher Retirement System of Louisiana in negotiating benefits. Every year he would make a special trip to Slippery Rock University to employ teachers from his alma mater, offering his home to them until they were settled.
In retirement, Dr. Scarnato helped establish the Louisiana Executive Service Corp. to help assist and train future leaders in the charter schools.
A devout Catholic and religious education teacher, he was a recipient of the Saint Louis Medallion from the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He was a founding member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church and enjoyed serving his community in many capacities. Of his many awards and achievements, Sam was most proud of his Saint Louis Medallion and Distinguished Butler High Graduate Award.
He was a beloved son, loving husband, devoted father, adoring grandfather and, most of all, a great brother and uncle.
We will miss you, Dear Brother. You have set the standards high for our family!
Scarnato — Arrangements for Dr. Samuel Scarnato, who passed away Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, were in New Orleans.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Butler Area Public Library.
