Hradek leaves big shoes and shirts to fill

In a cabinet that stands more than 6 feet tall in Sarasota High School Principal Jeff Hradek’s office are approximately 50 collared shirts. The patterns vary, but the colors are all the same: orange and black.
 

For the last 13 years, Hradek has worn orange and black on an almost daily basis as SHS principal. But last week, Hradek announced that instead of delaying his retirement for a midyear departure, he would retire July 29.

“That’s when it really hit me,” Hradek said. “The only time I may be wearing orange and black may be Halloween.”

Hradek will leave the shirts behind in his office as a welcome gift for the new principal, David Jones, who comes to SHS from North Port High School.

“It’s kind of like ‘27 Dresses,’” Hradek said. “I was just watching that last night on HBO. Now, they’ll get a second life of their own.”

But before the shirts get a new owner, there’s lots for Hradek to do. His remaining days are filled with interviews to fill the 15 openings for staff and teachers and making sure classrooms are ready for the start of the school year. The busy days have left him with little time to consider what he’ll pursue in retirement.

“I don’t know if I have another avenue to pursue,” Hradek said. “I think I just want to sit back and collect my thoughts.”
 

Although Hradek is looking forward to down time, he will miss the energy of being on campus. Despite the hectic reality of being principal for a high school undergoing major construction it’s one of the things that invigorates Hradek.

“When the job would get tough, and you’re dealing with the tasks that are pretty menial or mundane, you could always step outside your door, go to the cafeteria and find students that would re-energize you,” Hradek said.
One phrase sums up the way he feels about SHS: “Once a Sailor, always a Sailor.”

“Some of the things that typify what our school is about are when the Sarasota High School community has come together,” Hradek said.

In September 2014, math teacher and basketball coach Kyle Jutras died from cancer at 24.

Hradek saw Sailor pride on display when the school and community came together in support of Jutras’ family, holding a vigil to remember the young teacher and the impact he had on students in just one year.

Another example of that Sailor pride is stamped on the new gymnasium that Hradek sees clearly from his office that is named for the late Eddie Howell, a longtime SHS administrator and baseball coach who died in October.

“There’s a tradition at this school like no other high school in the county,” Hradek said.

Even though he will be retired, Hradek has offered to spend time with whomever is named the new principal to let him or her know the progress of the school and construction on campus.

“The high school is the city’s namesake,” Hradek said. “I always thought this was a great job, and I know the district is working hard to get the right person placed here. I think they’re going to find that this is the best high school job in the county.”

As for the polos in the cabinet?

“Well you’re going to have to hire somebody who’s an extra large,” Hradek said.