001to thank my team um for all the the work that they did in developing this evening. I want to thank Larry Maton, our assistant superintendent [music] for HR. Larry, thank you. But all of you here this evening will recall that two years ago our district especially at the elementary school level went through a pretty significant metamorphosis. And so having and asking our principles to talk about some of the teachers that are in their buildings and those individuals retiring after 30 plus years, they've only had an opportunity to know them for maybe two years. We figured let's really call the information that we have about our folks who are retiring and acknowledge them each in a very individual and respectful manner. So this evening, I'm going to be introducing all of our retirees and saying a
002few words about the impact that you've had in the district. And then after I finish introducing you, I would love it if the retirees feel comfortable in doing so by coming up to the podium and simply saying either what you plan on doing after retirement to make us all envious perhaps or something andor a memory that was really impactful or perhaps why your career here at Suffren Central has meant so much to you. So I offer all of you the opportunity to please go ahead and do that. so we can all celebrate each and every one of you. So, I would like to start off first, not because she's retiring, because she's not. She better not be. But I'd like to ask Angela Agula, the principal of Cherry Lane Elementary School, to come on up
003here and join me as we honor the first school. I'd like to welcome up Veronica Burkhall. Veronica, come on up. [applause] Veronica, you're the first person. So, we're going to work out the kinks with you here. Veronica, I'll give you a hug. I'm right up here. Okay. All right. Veronica is one of those individuals who does great work in our classrooms and is humble at the same time. You don't strike me as the person that really likes the spotlight and all the attention. And in fact, it took us a little bit of work to get some of the things that you were really proud of over your time here at Suffren and share it with us. As you can see from the screen, Veronica has been here since 2002. She spent 24 years in the
004district. She is an individual who has championed the importance of mathematics in our elementary schools and she's been a teacher and student support specialist for the vast majority of that time. My understanding is that you spent almost your entire career at Cherry Lane. >> All 24 years. all 24 years at Cherry Lane Elementary School. And we'll see that varies differently. Angela clearly during the restructuring didn't want to let you go. Um you're always focused on student growth and achievement. And you are truly a lifelong learner, always looking to see not only what you do in your personal life that can improve you, but what you can do in the classroom to improve your practice for our students. And Angela said that Veronica was never afraid to step outside of her comfort zone, take on something
005new, or challenge herself professionally. That combination of expertise, humility, and dedication made her an invaluable member of the Cherry Lane Elementary School community and probably the reason why she didn't let you go. We're going to be very sad to see you go, but we thank you so much for these last 24 years. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Humble greatness. No comment. We wish you all the best. Veronica Michelle McKarnen, come on up. [applause] >> All right. >> Congratulations. after. >> No, after after I talk about you, then do you want to say something? >> All right. I have some props. >> Oh, you have props. >> All right. So, we'll give you 30 seconds to go back and get the props. That's very exciting. You have a whole bunch of flowers over there, too. But
006those are not your props. >> That is not. >> All right. All right. So Michelle is one of those individuals who all of us who are administrators and many of you who are teachers recognize that all of the sudden at the end of the summer you go, "Oh no, there's a class size that's too big and we need to hire somebody or somebody decided to leave and we need to have this mad dash for a scramble to hire somebody." And for those of us that have been involved in hiring, we know that sometimes your worst hires can be at the end of August and your best hires can be in the end of August. And Michelle from Judy Barbara's perspective and from ours was clearly one of the best hires Suffins had at the very
007end of August, if not ever. So congratulations on that. Michelle is known ever since 1994 for pioneering the district's first inclusion classroom at RP Connor. Think about that. The first inclusion classroom. And now that's all over the place and standard procedure for us here. She was the team leader and curriculum coordinator for math at the middle school. And actually when she was at the middle school, she was asked, "Do you want to do humanities or math?" And I think you picked math. And then you stuck with it. and the math grew and grew and grew. And then you went on to become a fourth grade teacher at Biola, created and launched the Creators Cove Maker Space at uh Slotzburg Elementary School, and then finally closing out your career at Cherry Lane, you championed schoolwide programs
008that unite and inspire students. I think Michelle, you win the prize for being in the most schools throughout your 32-year career for this retirement class of 2026. >> There was never an opening in the high school I wanted. >> You could have been at the high school and then I Right. [laughter] Right. And Monttoello was the other one I think. Right. >> Montello. >> And Montabelloo. So you got almost all of them. >> Is there a real prize? >> There is no prize. No, just that fact that I'm saying prize. Yeah. [laughter] Angela um to to put words in Angela's mouth, she said, "Michelle is a lifelong educator and leader who truly had a positive impact on so many students and school communities across the district. She embraces embraces innovation, inclusion, and collaboration while always
009keeping students at the center of every decision. We want to thank you for your work here over the last 32 years. We'll take a 15-second break, so you can go get your props and whatever you'd like to say, the mic is yours." Uh, take take 20. >> It is three pages long. The font's very big, though. I I won't keep you more than an hour or so. So, back in the early 90s, I had some really big hair. Oh, that's not important right now. I was in my last year at Manhattan College pursuing a degree in special education. At that time, I had the good fortune of being placed as a student teacher at PS24 in the Bronx with Margaret Dustaso. And I hope she's here. She's supposed to be here tonight, but might be
010late. So, some of you might know her. Actually, all of you probably know her. And if you believe that I'm a good teacher, trust me, Margaret will take all of the credit for that. I had come out of college and naively and mistakenly thought that I would take my resume, hand it out like little flyers in Rockland County, and land a job. Turns out that it wasn't that simple. So Margaret helped me find my first teaching job that was in a trailer in the middle of a black top lot at PS32 in the Bronx. Thanks, Margaret. Yeah. Uh, I strongly believe that everyone should start their career in the city. It makes you realize how important it is to be an educator. And sometimes I felt like I was the most consistent person in people's
011lives. When I started graduate school in my second year of teaching, I met a lot of great people from Rockland County. One of those people was Donda Dammo, my fellow retiree, and she's the one who let me know about the opening in Ramapost Central, and I'm forever grateful for that. Oh, I'm getting emotional. Um, she also sold me this awesome bag [laughter] that I have had, I swear to God, for two decades. Something like that. And this thing gets heavy. Sometimes my husband wouldn't even carry it. Um, but like its owner, it's showing wear and ready for retirement. In my 32 years in the district, I've worn many different hats. I started as a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom, a resource room teacher, a general ed teacher, a sixth grade math teacher, curriculum
012coordinator, team leader, math specialist, and instructional facilitator. And now I will breathe. These roles have shaped me, challenged me, and helped me grow. And so have some of the people that I've had the pleasure of working with. I've worked in several different schools, as Dr. Gunderson pointed out, with so many special people, some of whom are retiring with me tonight. I'd like to thank those colleagues that have made such a positive impact on my life. However, it's the seven people that are with me tonight that I need to thank the most. I truly wish that there were nine people here and my family knows exactly who is missing. My mom, Ellie, who drove home with me in the middle of the night from LBI because Brian Millie called me and I couldn't get in touch
013with him. And I'm like, he's going to want to see me in the morning. He's going to want to interview me. And she drove home with me and he didn't want to see me in the morning. He He he just offered me the job over the phone. So, sorry, Mom. My dad, Tom, who always tells me that I'm the best dress teacher in Suffren Central. So, if you think I'm not, he's right there. Right here, Dad. You can take it up with him. [applause] My mother-in-law, Marie, who was also an educator, and she prepared my husband for the teacher's life and what to expect. and my father-in-law was a teacher as well. Um, we've had some great lengthy conversations about education and it's been invaluable to me. My husband Joe, he claims that for many
014years he never saw me go to sleep and he never saw me wake up because I was working. He's also the one to remind me when I need to step back from my work. Sometimes yelling down the stairs, "You're not looking at data, are you?" I was. Um, he has also read me numbers to put into my gradebook when I fell behind and had to transfer my written work to the computer way more than once. My children, TJ, who's not here, he lives in California. Kayla, Christina, and John, who grew up having to understand that mom didn't change out of her pajamas on Sundays, and she didn't play much either. I just sat in front of the computer to plan, grade, and get ready for the week. Don't get me wrong, I was at all
015of their games and involved in their lives. But Sunday scaries are a real thing. Teaching, if you want to do it right and do it well, takes a great deal of hard work. John C. Maxwell said, "Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." The greatest privilege of this career has been working with thousands of students whose resilience, humor, and growth taught me as much as I ever taught them. It is I'm almost done. I swear it is my utmost hope that my students, colleagues, and administrators know how much I cared. If that's what people remember about me, not the data, not the curriculum, not the meetings, but that I cared, then I'll consider my career a success. So, I just want to say congratulations to everyone here tonight
016and best wish best wishes, sorry, for a relaxing and fulfilling retirement. [applause] Congratulations. Jan Rosenlum, come on up. [applause] So, Jen has been with us since 2004. For 22 years, she's been here. She's been an avid I'm sorry, she's been an advocate for our students since the day she began. She spent 13 years supporting students in the therapeutic support center and she started that work in 2013 and asked to go in and support these students who really had some significant challenges without any formal training beforehand. And she did it and she became an incredible advocate for students in the TSC program. She's known for her patience, her resilience, and her adaptability. In that classroom, the students that you're working with, you know that you have to be flexible, resilient, and incredibly caring and understanding. And
017those students, as a result, thrive, and they've thrived with the work that you've done, and you've made an everlasting impact through all your work here in Suffren Central School District. And Angela said, "Jen is a giver and a doer. She approaches her entire job with her whole heart and supports her students in any way that may be needed. Jen, we'd like to thank you and congratulate you on an incredible career. Thank you. [applause] >> I actually didn't have anything planned, so if I seem a little stumbly or not sure what I'm going to say next, sorry. So, actually Dr. Gunderson touched on the one thing that I did want to say. It is indeed true. In 2013, well, prior to 2013, from 2008 until 2013, I was a Cherry Lane and then I ended up
018moving to Montabelloo and being asked to be a TA in the therapeutic support class. I had no special ed background whatsoever at all. And thinking back, they were asking what's the thing that makes the biggest impact on me. And I would have to say that it was my time those first that first year being in the therapeutic sport class. I have learned more than I could ever imagine about children and the right way to approach them and the right way to make them feel good about themselves and the right way to make them feel positive. And I could not have done that without the opportunity of working with the children that I work with. So thank you very much. [applause] Is Teresa Ivy here? Teresa is not retiring either, but I'd like her to come
019up and and help me with this next honore, Travis Jackson. [applause] Travis Jackson is a man of firsts. You'll see on the slide here, he was a school counselor for the first ever sixth grade class at Suffren Middle School way back in 2002. He was the first ever elementary school counselor in the district and now we have elementary school counselors in each and one each and every one of our elementary schools. He was the anti-bullying coordinator for Central Hudson PTA and in 2013 he was the educator of the year award from the Holocaust Museum and center for tolerance and he is currently the president-elect of Westchester Putnham Rocklin Counseling Association. You can see in the photo here that Travis's connection to Hillburn and the Suffren Central School District is incredibly impactful. Equity is on his
020mind quite often. There's a family history and connection to the Hillburn building when the district went through some really difficult times back in the 1940s. and he educates students to this day about the important work that took place with Thor good Marshall in Hillburn and the benefits that has reaped for the suffering central school district, the state of New York and our country. And in the photo that you see right here, Travis along with some of our mentors and our mentees in the My Brother's Keeper group were up in Albany just I think about two weeks ago as our first cohort of young men working along with adults to learn from each of these individuals on how they can propel themselves into adulthood. And Travis Teresa has said that you are a lifelong member of
021this suffering central community who's helped shape the future of many students. Travis's passion for hockey and stewardship for the deeprooted history of this area has left an everlasting impact on generations of students and families. We'd like to thank you for your time here in Suffren Central and all the work that you've done. Congratulations. [applause] Good evening. >> It is a good evening. I'd like to begin by congratulating my colleagues who are retiring at the end of the school year. I wish you all the absolute best of luck with everything the next chapter has in store. This is truly a full circle moment for me and my sister Susan as our father, the late Dr. Travis Edward Jackson, was a teacher and administrator in suffering in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Anyone who had the fortune
022of knowing or working with dad knows he set the standard for how to educate, inspire, and motivate young people. His approach is one that I've always tried to emulate throughout my career. My retirement plans involve relocating to the Fingerlakes region of New York State, specifically to the town of Newfield, which is in Tomkins County, about 15 minutes southwest of Ithaca, where the average graduating class at Newfield High School is approximately 40 students, give or take. In addition to being an absolutely beautiful area in which to live, my 22-year-old daughter Juliana is a technician in the radiology oncology department at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. And she currently lives in Ithaca. My 18-year-old daughter, Kayla, just completed her first year at Sunni Courtland, where she made both the president's list and was in the top
0235% of her class. Courtland's about 40 minutes from Newfield, so she will be close to me for most of the year. Kayla wants to be an ENL teacher after she graduates. So, Patricia and Kevin, be on the lookout for her resume. [laughter] I couldn't be more proud of both of them. Last and certainly not least, my beautiful partner Michelle has called Newfield home for the past 20 years. Michelle is an IT project manager for Cornell University and is the proud mama of twin 21-year-olds Brody and Leanne. Brody is studying psychology at the University of Buffalo, while Leanne is studying animation and game art design at the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. I'm really looking forward to witnessing the results of my bonus kids hard work and dedication in the future. When it
024comes to retirement, I plan to continue teaching graduate level courses for school and mental health counselors remotely through LU. I plan to continue to volunteer with Suffren High School's My Brother's Keeper initiative. I plan to continue to collaborate with Suffren Central and our neighboring school districts in the county on keeping the story of the Hillburn Brook School and Thood Marshall alive and well. I plan to stay involved in the profession as president-elect of the Westchester Putinham Rocklin Counseling Association. And beginning in 2027, I'm also going to complete a course of study for the purposes of becoming an educational advocate. Where's Dominique? I look forward to working with you in the future. In closing, thank you Suffering Central for the opportunity to serve the students and families of this exceptional community. It was both an honor
025and a pleasure. Thank you. [applause] Would Allison Mets please come on up. [applause] Allison Metscrooft has been in the district since 2003. For 23 years, she's celebrated and learned from many cultures represented at Montabell Elementary School as an ENL teacher. She's built meaningful connections with students and families from all around the world, especially in our cultural nights in the activities that take place throughout the course of the year. She's learned valuable lessons in patience, perseverance, and change, key elements as an educator. and she's inspired generations of students and celebrated their success long after graduation. I'm sure that Allison has seen her career as an ENL teacher evolve significantly over these last 23 years. We want to thank you for all the work that you've done. And as Teresa has sh said, as an ENL teacher,
026Allison has worked with students and families from around the world helping multilanguage learners build the language skills and confidence needed to succeed in school and beyond. and you have certainly helped them succeed in school and beyond. Congratulations. [applause] [laughter] Would Kelly Banani please join me up here? [applause] I am not. >> No, Kelly is not retiring. Having a a change of location to Suffren High School. So, congratulations on becoming the new Suffren High School principal next year. [applause] And and while we're introducing you as the as the new high school principal uh for next year, I'd like to acknowledge I was going to do this at the end of the evening uh Paul Adler, who's going to be leaving us for a very wonderful position in Westchester County. Um Paul, if you could give a
027little wave. We thank you for the years of service you've had here at Suffren High School. [applause] And then this evening on the board of education agenda, we have um the person who's going to be taking over for Kelly at RP Connor Elementary School, Paul Tryion. Would you mind standing up and giving a little wave? [applause] Paul Tryan is is uh coming to us. We very much look forward to welcoming you to our suffering central community. Uh, and you're joined here by your wife and one-year-old son. So, uh, who's doing a phenomenal job in the audience, by the way, like, and now I just jinxed it. Now it's going to go all downhill, right? We welcome you. Who are we acknowledging? Dawn Bean, come on up. [applause] >> [laughter] >> The protocol is give Kelly
028a hug. >> Oh, >> I hug her all day. We've had a great dance. >> Dawn Bean is certainly um someone who has tremendous energy, is fun to joke around with, and can give it back to you at the right time. Um I learned something absolutely fantastic. I think one of my first interactions with a community member when I became superintendent here um was I think Dawn your brother. >> Yeah. >> Um and then followed up by your mother who happened to fly up here today for this ceremony to congratulate you. You flew up from Florida just today for this [applause] >> who taught at Biola for 20 years herself. So incredible. But we're talking about Don Bean. Dawn Bean [clears throat] has been here for 34 years. She started in 1992 and has probably
029if you had more energy back in 1992. I can't even imagine what that was like because you have energy. You've been a champion of students especially for enrichment opportunities. You've inspired curiosity through various coding programs. You created engaging wake up your brain activities sparked creativity and critical thinking with tickle your brain a lot of brain activities and then you've made in all seriousness you've made a long lasting impression on so many mounties not only at RP Connor and the students that you have served but all your colleagues who you've come in touch with um who you've worked with to develop really unique programs for our students. you've made an everlasting impact on teachers and students alike. And Kelly uh was probably at a loss for words when it comes to describing Dawn, which for Kelly,
030a loss for words is is hard to come by, right? Like >> um but for Dawn, Dawn is going to be missed. Kelly said, "Dawn is a champion for student growth. She makes students feel seen, supported, and capable and creates learning environments where curiosity and confidence can flourish. and you have allowed those opportunities and those students to flourish. Congratulations. >> Thank you. [applause] >> I don't want to talk. I swore I wasn't going to talk and yet here I am ready to talk. No, we we had a beautiful breakfast at my school this morning and I did speak at that. So, I will not talk too much today. Just a little bit. Um, I want to thank everybody here. I have had such a blessed and rewarding career going through Suffering Central. I see Mrs.
031Belti in the back there. She was here. I babysat her kids. Now her grandkids are my kids. That's crazy. Um, but I've been lucky to be go through Cypress Road. I knew Mr. Connor. He was my principal, middle school, the high school. I have been given a gorgeous opportunity in this district. I've been so fortunate to try so many things. And like I said to I'm not even looking at too many young people. This morning in my school, it was all young people. So I felt like I had to impart words of wisdom. But not a day goes by that I don't thank God that I get to work in Suffren Central and neither should any of you. We work in the best school district with the best people and the best students and I
032never ever took it for granted and I never will. Uh I'm looking forward to moving to Florida where my mom and dad live. My brother and his wife and kids live. My brother John and his fianceé Kim who retired from Cherry Lane last year are building a house in Florida. My daughter Aaron graduated from Pace University. She's coming to Florida because she can't be without me. Um, my daughter Molly goes to University of South Florida. She's staying there. And my son Bobby is graduating high school in three weeks and he's coming because he can't live without me either. So, thank you very much. I've loved my life here. Thank you. Can I have Vanessa Rodriguez join me up HERE [applause] and Linda Brennan. There she is. [applause] Linda Brennan. I say Linda Brennan puts the
033M, the math, in STEM. An incredible educator who's been with the Suffren Central School District since 1996. She has dedicated an entire career to our district as a kindergarten teacher, fifth grade teacher, and as I've known you recently, an incredible math specialist. She inspires a love of math through math ambassadors, family math nights, and first in math. Math, math, math. You put the M in STEM. You brought innovative STEM opportunities to students through the NASA Sparks program and you strengthened math education locally and statewide through leadership in professional organizations and conferences. You've celebrated mathematics in our district and you've taken students all the way up to Albany and beyond to celebrate the prowess that they have in their mathematics knowledge and application. Vanessa has said, "Throughout three decades in suffering, Linda has fostered a love
034of learning, built meaningful connections with students and families, and championed innovative math and STEM experiences. Her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to teach uh to children have left an lasting impact on the suffering central community and beyond. Linda, we congratulate you and thank you for your years of service to our students. [applause] Yeah, go ahead. >> Hi everybody. I come here tonight with such an amazingly grateful heart. It has been a ride that I never imagined and um I'm grateful to the board who said yes when we took champions up to Albany and they celebrated them. And I'm grateful to Judy Barbara who hired me into this job. Um Mary who who actually taught me that data is really important. um to um Kelly who made it fun and said yes to me and nominated
035me for things that I never imagined I could be part of and to Vanessa who has just opened up the world of even allowing me to have a math lab which was like a first and a fun thing. Um I I leave just saying one thing um besides thank you to everyone that's here. I've raised my family and my children here. So suffering to me is will always be home and um and it's a really really special and terrific place. Um Emily Dickinson once said, "Dwell in the possibilities." Well, as teachers, that's what we ask kids to do and for the rest of my life, that's what I will do. [applause] >> [applause] >> Sharon Digger. [applause] So interesting, Sharon. Just last week, you were clapping like crazy for your son when he was at
036the evening of excellence getting an award. And here he is tonight, a graduating senior this year clapping for his mom after an incredible 27 years. [applause] Talk about a cool way to go out for retirement, right? You're retiring. Your son's graduating. Have you used the word and tried to say that you're actually graduating, not retiring? No. Okay, never mind. Never mind. [laughter] Um, and I know that your daughter and your husband are here as well and and just a a nice family moment. Um, and I again this photo I think really demonstrates who you are as an educator, right? Surrounded by your students, loving the work that you've done at Slotzburg Elementary School. You started in this district in 1999 and you've been here for well, whoops, we said 27 years and you dedicated 28
037years to Suffren Central. So clearly I didn't put the M in STEM. Um but I'll figure it out. But you spent you spent a significant uh career here. 26 years at Montabelloo and two years at Slozburg. You taught kindergarten for 23 years and first grade for five years. I mean, holy cow, that's impressive. Congratulations on that. I know that uh as a former high school teacher walking into a kindergarten class, I wouldn't really know what to do. And you have clearly mastered that for the K and uh first year students. You began as a kindergarten teaching assistant in the same classroom. What a great piece of trivia, right? As where you are now teaching. Just an incredible full circle moment to start off in the same classroom and retire in that classroom and be other
038places throughout the duration of your career. Vanessa has said that you are a proud member of the Suffren Central community. You've raised your family in the district and watched your own children grow and learn in its schools. Throughout your career, you've built lasting relationships, created cherished memories, and remain deeply grateful to be a part of the Suffren Central family. and we are deeply grateful to you. Congratulations, Sharon. [applause] [laughter] >> I'm not really a big public speaker except for 5-year-olds. So, um I don't, you know, not comfortable with this right now, but I just wanted to thank everybody and thank Seaffron for giving me the best opportunity ever. And um just THANK YOU. [applause] I'D LIKE TO ASK Paul Adler to come on up and join me. James Donovan, come on up. [applause] [laughter] So
039Jim has been in our district for 25 years starting in 2001. He spent seven years on Wall Street prior to that and this was his second career fully expecting that he did not regret the decision to come to Suffren Central. You don't have to necessarily answer that question, but I think it's wonderful that you've spent a quarter century here at the high school. He taught in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island before joining Suffren. He developed earth science, biology, astronomy, astrobiology, geoccience, and seminar courses at the high school. What an assortment of curriculum opportunities for our students over that 25-y year period. And you've led plenty of hands-on science learning through the planetarium shows, the nature trails, and extensive field experience. And I have to tell you, Jim doesn't rest. In fact, just last week, he
040had a PBL, project-based learning activity, where he had his students outside in the back of Suffren High School, inviting administrators and teachers and and other folks to come and see the incredible work that you and your students did in planning a nature trail behind the high school. So even at the end of your career, you're laying down the pathway for students to learn more at Suffurn High School. Just a beautiful moment in just the last few weeks. And you um are a great reflection of our blueprint here at Suffurn Central. We talk a lot about our blueprint for excellence and how we like to make community connections and get students outside of the classroom. And Jim probably holds the record for the most varied field trips throughout the course of your career. You've taken students
041to the Hillburn Wastewater Treatment Facility, the Bare Mountain Trails and Zoo, Haramman State Park, Minowasa State Park, Sterling Forest State Park, the American Museum of Natural History, the Sterling Mine, and of course our own campus where you've laid the groundwork for the nature nature trail. You love taking students outside of the high school to learn from what takes place outside our walls. Paul shared that Jim has built a dynamic experiential science program that brought learning beyond the classroom. His leadership as a department chair and passion for real world science education left a lasting mark on students and colleagues alike. And although Jim has spent 25 years in the high school, just about every first grader in the entire district for I don't know how many years, Jim, have come through your planetarium to look at
042the stars and be amazed by what astronomy has to offer. and Jim has been the reason behind that. So Jim, congratulations on your retirement and thank you for these 25 years. [applause] Uh thank you. It's really been my pleasure to teach the wonderful students here and get to know the students. Uh I tried to think of one story to tell about my students and I thought of one where you know I really learned from the students. Um, it was an earth science class and I come in after the weekend and I walk into the classroom and there's a piano in my classroom and I thought, "Okay." So, of course, one of my classes comes in and one of my more energetic students, of course, he goes right over to the piano. He sits down and
043he's about to hit the keys and I look over there and I'm about to say, "Don't play with that. Go sit down. We got to get going." And I hear a couple notes and I hear it kind of sounds good. And I hear a couple more and he's playing um ragtime. He's playing the entertainer. And I looked at him and he looked at me and I gave him the nod and he played the whole song and it was beautiful. And this kid, he was, you know, he had his issues. He was a great kid, but earth science was not really his thing. Um, but like right there it really taught me to look kind of beyond what I see in front of me. Uh, you know, some of the goofballs I see that have like
044a a hidden adult inside of them and they have other talents. Um, and you know, I really love those opportunities to learn from the kids. Um, so that's my story. Congratulations retirees. Thank you everybody. [applause] Great story. It's really great. Angela Greer. [applause] So I have to tell you the pictures sometimes tell a lot about the person's experience and background and I think this one is really unique. So, Angela has been at the high school since 1996. And for over for over 25, I'm sorry, o over 25 of your former students um in AP Bio and AP psychology um have followed their passions for science and are actively practicing medicine or engaged in science related careers. And that's fantastic that you've kept, I'm assuming, in touch with those students to see that progression over time
045after leaving. >> Some of them really some of your former students give a little wave. That is fantastic. [applause] Thank you for being here and celebrating. That is wonderful. You developed and implemented two science elective courses near and dear to your heart. Equin science and animal science and thus the picture. You collaborated with colleagues to establish two extracurricular clubs, the gardening club and the medicine club, both of which serve to broaden student awareness of biology. And Paul said about Angela, "Over your long career, you've built meaningful pathways for students to explore science in both um both in and beyond the classroom. Through innovative electives, clubs, and lasting mentorship, you helped spark lifelong interests in biology and related fields, as evidenced clearly by some of the former students who are here celebrating with you today. And
046an important little bit of trivia that I learned was that you also student taught here at the high school under Ed Petrillo. He was your cooperating teacher. >> Fantastic. Well, thank you for your 30 years. Thank you to your students for being here and we congratulate you. [applause] >> Ever prepared. It's not an outline, but I promise it'll be short. Thank you all for taking the time to attend this truly truly milestone event. And I'd like to begin with a quote from George Washington um in honor of our country's 250th birthday. This is from March of where he was addressing his warweary and disgruntled troops just up the road here in Newberg. So it begins like this. Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles for I have not only grown gray but
047almost blind in the service of my country. I've spent half of my life, 31 years here at Sephron High School. And thus, I truly can identify with George Washington and what he was trying to do by exposing his vulnerabilities to his troops. He wanted to rally his men together to reignite that passion that they had started with at the start of the revolution, that war for freedom. Well, a teacher's job is the same. is to ignite, is to bring passion and show passion because that's really what our life is about. We need to show our students what's out there. So that's why this biology teacher is showing you a little bit about American history or perhaps it was literature or architecture or animals or biology. These are but some of my personal passions that I
048hope that I convey to my students in hopes that they would find their passion. In turn, teaching has become my passion. You have become my passion. You are my legacy. So let me conclude with another quote, but this time you determine the purpose and the identity of the author. [clears throat] There is grandeur in this view of life with its several powers having been originally breathed into new forms or into one. And that whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity from so simple a beginning, endless forms most beautiful and wonderful have been and are being evolved. Thank you for being a part of my life and my evolution. >> [applause] >> I'd like to ask Andy Gone to join us up here as well. [applause] Mel Melanie Ipsson,
049please come on up. There you are. [applause] Yes, indeed. Melanie has done a great job. Melanie, for those of you at the high school, is the person who is in probably um one of the least ideal in the school uh where where you really don't see the light of day and sometimes when you in the middle of the winter when you leave the building you still don't see the light of day. Um but the great thing is is she gets to work with Andy Koni who's our director of athletics. So that's your ray of sunshine every single day. Melanie is that just genuine, quiet, supportive individual that makes all of athletics run and be successful on a daily basis. Andy Gion is the director of athletics. Melanie gets all the work done. All the mechanics,
050the buses, the schedules, the problems that come up, they make a great team. Melanie and Andy has expressed to me that he doesn't quite know what he's going to do after Melanie leaves, but we'll figure it out. We'll figure it out. She spent 21 years in the district and her career spans financial services and 20 plus years 21 years in the Suffren Central School. She worked in the beginning at the middle school as a monitor and guidance department staff member from 2005 to 2016. And then um was the clerical lead for Suffren Athletics since 2016, coordinating schedules and officiating logistics. And she has served as the union president of her organization from 2010 to 2016, advocating for staff all across the district. Andy and Paul jointly come together and say across multiple roles in suffering,
051Melanie has been a steady trusted president presence supporting students, staff, and athletics alike. her leadership, organization, and commitment to dis the district have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the school community. So, Melanie, you will sorely be missed by all of us, but we wish you all the best in retirement. Thank you. George Mugno, come on up. There he is. Another picture that is representative of George Mugno. If you've walked into his robotics lab, I'm sure on multiple occasions, the students who he loves dearly, every once in a while, do something evoking that type of response. I love it. Fantastic. Uh George cares so deeply for his students, and I will remember George as the person who is a staunch advocate for not only the robotics program at Suff High School, but his robotics
052students who truly have found a home in his lab, in his classroom, his and with George M. George has been with us for 19 years and he was a New York City teaching fellow with four years of teaching experience before joining the district. He served as the Suffren High School math teacher for 19 years and the head robotics coach for 15 years leading teams to state and world championships. And we see the robotics team all over our community. Street fairs, one suffering day. Anytime there's a Lego event, robotics students show up to celebrate what George has um shared with all the students. And he also created the college prep math course to support collegebound students and to make sure that they were achieving success in mathematics. Paul Adler said, "Over nearly two decades in suffering,
053George has built a strong mathematics program while expanding opportunities through robotics and innovative coursework. His leadership opened doors for students to compete at high levels and find success in both math and engineering pathways. George, we want to thank you for all you've done in both the mathematics world as well as the robotics world. We're going to miss you. Wish you the best in retirement, friend. >> [applause] >> It's hard for me to call up without having some kind of prop and that's how I get my robotics to do their public speaking to have something that they can physically refer to and talk about very short. I noticed some of my students are here tonight. Former student Jesse Czech was one of my very first students graduated in 2010. He's an engineer. Um, [applause] and Ethan,
054who's one of my last students, my very last student, he's graduating this year, uh, going to Daytona. And um [applause] through his work with that school, he's actually been hired by Keline uh to work in their marine and robotics underwater robotics because of his accomplishments with CAD and engineering design work. So I'm very proud of all of them in between and those included. So I'll cut it off there before I keep going. Thank you all. >> [applause] >> I'd like to ask Andy Gucci to come back up again. >> Would Rob Shelling please come up? [applause] Rob Shelling has been in the district for 30 years starting in 1996. He began his career at Montabelloo in special education before transitioning to the high school to become a guidance counselor. As many of us know, has
055been the head boys varsity hockey coach with over 500 wins and five state championships. >> Rob has coached girls golf as well, which he finds to be a completely different type of experience than the intensity of the hockey season. Very therapeutic for you. In fact, I'd probably argue you've shared that maybe golf season's your favorite season. [laughter] And of course, he currently also serves as one of our assistant athletic directors, and he's done so for the last seven years. He is the proud parent of two Suffren High School graduates, Casey and Ryan. And I often equate Rob Shelling as this incredibly accomplished school counselor. What he's known outside of Suff High School is an incredibly accomplished ice hockey coach, multiple state championships. And what you see from him is exactly this, a humbleness where there's
056confidence, but once you congratulate him, he's so quick to turn over the credit to his fellow coaches and his players. Year after year of success, it all goes back to the players and the other coaches. We all know that the success of the ice hockey program is in very large part due to Rob Shelon's leadership and his dedication to those young men. Thank you. Paul and Andy have both said that Rob has supported students both in the classroom and throughout athletics, shaping countless experiences across academics and sports. his leadership, dedication, and deep rooted commitment to student growth have left a lasting mark on this district, and it's certain. Congratulations and thank you. [applause] >> Thank you for those kind words. Um, well, I was fortunate enough to to graduate from Suffurn High School, uh, this
057amazing place, and then, uh, majored in business. Wasn't wasn't probably the best move. I wasn't a very good salesman and um I one of the best decisions I made was to go back into education and um I thank suffering for taking a chance on me 30 years ago. The I worked for Monabello and Dr. Deloro was the principal there and when I first met her Judy um she had said to me they made me hire you better not mess up. She didn't mess. Um, but then uh I was fortunate after that for two years to go into school counseling and um it was just an amazing place. I was so fortunate to work with incredible administrators. Uh Pat Farad who's not here, one of the greatest guys in the world. Um you know Pat Green,
058the principles that we've had, all the all the administrators of Suff High School were just uh were just great. coaching here for over 30 years has been it's been a pleasure to me having great kids um but more importantly just having great coaches that I work with um they're here today Joe Walberg Seth Rodman John Rosswan and Tom Nulli I was fortunate enough to to coach with my brother Rich um so coaching hockey here was incredible I I definitely want to thank my wife for putting up for all the hours of coaching and and and the commitment it takes there. U my kids like Dr. Gunderson said were went through Suffren High School and had such an amazing experience. They're both in college and doing incredible. Um but to end here, I want to thank
059the counselors that I worked with. Uh Suffren High School is in good hands with counselors like Amanda, Alex, uh Carrie, and and the person that's they're going to be a lot better off that they hired for me. Um, and I was also fortunate to work with one of the greatest guys in the world. He's not here. Um, Mickey Desimone was a hero to me in so many ways. Um, and then also Sarah Kern, Shelley Stevenson. You were two of the greatest people. Working with you was absolutely amazing. And without further I can't say, uh, pretty much carried me. Janet Amory, couldn't have done this without you. But in closing, I think the one said it is just such an incredible place and 30 years here has just been great. Going to high school here, having
060my kids go through here, Suff is the best. So, thank you. And last, but certainly not least, Tracy Sheridan. Come on up. Well, here's probably uh one of the best, if not the best, uh reflection of Tracy, the photo. By the way, she's the person in the middle, but she brings people together. And one of her great quotes is I school starts with the teachers. And when you show up looking like this on just a normal school day, No, no, it wasn't a normal school day. It was Halloween. It was Halloween. Okay. When you show up and you get some of your colleagues to dress up like this and perform on Halloween, you can tell Halloween is a special day for Tracy. And I'm sure that she does it just as much for her students
061and colleagues as she does it for herself. Tracy's been here for 19 years. Starting in 2007, she taught in juvenile justice, psychiatric, and foster care. That's outside of Suff Central. Um before joining Suffin Central 19 years ago, she served as a special education and English teacher. During her time here, she founded the gamers club and advised both the fashion club and the book club. All things connected back to the costume. I love it. She built strong inclusion classroom partnerships and fostered school spirit through creative staff and student activities. And we appreciate that so much. Paul says, "Tracy is certainly one of a kind. We will miss her unique fashion, art projects, shepherd's pie, and sense of humor. Throughout her career, she brought creativity, energy, and deep compassion to her work with students, building inclusive classrooms,
062and vibrant student communities, always centering connection, spirit, and belonging. Tracy, well done. Thank you for everything that you've done for Suffren Central. >> I'll be very brief um because I don't have anything for uh I was talking to my youngest son about what I should say tonight and he said, "Well, what do you want to be remembered for?" And I didn't even think about it. I just said, "Kindness. I want to be remembered for kindness." And he goes, "Well, kindness is kind of subjective. How do you measure kindness?" And I said, "I don't have to measure because I can see kindness in my children that I raised." And I saw kindness in all of you when I had the worst day of my life. I looked up in that funeral home and saw not a
063sea of suffering faces. I looked up and I saw an ocean. You are the reason I made it through this year. And I can't thank you enough for the decades that I've had here. I have had some of the best administrators, bosses, colleagues, and I'm the one who's truly blessed. So, thank you. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> Um just a just a few closing remarks. I think um after after going through this right and everyone listening um about a little something about each retiree and hearing about their major takeaways leaving Suffren and the and the time that they have spent here gets me and I'm sure so many of you to recognize that each and every one of these retirees have something unique. about them that made them special to each and every one of
064their students and to our suffering central community as a whole. The theme continues to be Suffren Central is a great place. Suffering Central is a great place because of those of you who have spent your career here. And I trust that all of you that are leaving us will always remember something great about your time here in Suffren Central and also recognize that Suffren Central will continue to be great. large part because of the work that you do. Thank you so much everyone for coming out this evening and thank you to our retirees. We do have a meeting after this. You don't have to stay, but you're more than welcome to stay if you'd like. We'll reconvene in about 10 minutes. Good evening everyone. This is great news to see that we we haven't had
065attendance like this for a meeting in a long time. But we're going to ask if you're if you're sticking around for the meeting if you can go ahead and take a seat. We'll get started in about three minutes. Okay, we're going to be starting our meeting shortly. So, if you're here for the meeting, please have a seat. It's gonna be really exciting. Shoo, how are we doing back there? We're good. Okay. Are we live right now? Okay. All right. Great. Okay. Welcome and good evening everyone. Uh we are recalling the meeting to order of the Suffren Central School District Board of Education for Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026. May the record reflect that all board members are now present. And we will begin with the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of
066America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Normally, I would call for the student board member report, but uh I just see some echoes uh and crickets over there. So I guess our our student board members have scadaddled. Um so we will move on to 1.09 which is the minutes of the regular meeting of May 19th 20126. Has everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes? Okay. Do I have a motion to accept the minutes? >> Mr. Shapiro second. >> Second. >> Mrs. Hodgej. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Superintendent's comments. >> Thank you very much. I'd like to uh once again congratulate all the retirees on their well-earned retirement and more importantly thank
067them for the impact and influence that they've had over our students and our overall community. We had a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their their impact to our community this evening. We wish them all the best. I'd also like to point out that in the audience we have uh Mr. Paul Trion, who is uh going to be um who's being recommended to become the next principal of RP Connor school. As we all know, Miss Kelly Bennady is going to become the high school principal uh July 1, and we are looking forward to Mr. Triion joining us in the summer as well. And we thank you for being here. Thus concludes my superintendent report. >> Okay, thank you. Uh we're now going to move on to public participation. This is on action items only. Action items are
068on our agenda tonight at 2.01 through 2.09. Is there anyone who is here to speak on an action item? Okay, looks like not. So, I'm going to close that portion of the meeting and move on to our action items. Uh before asking for a consent agenda, is there any item that any board member would like to pull? Okay. 2.02. Anyone else have any items to pull? Okay. Uh, then do I have a motion for a consent agenda to approve action items 2.01 and 2.03 through 2.09. >> Uh, is that you, Mr. Frasier? >> Oh, okay. Thank you, Mr. Andert. and second. >> Second, >> Mr. Frasier. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. 2.02 is the civil service report. Do I have a motion? >> Mrs. Hodgej. Second.
069>> Mr. Shapiro. Any discussion? >> Discussion, please. >> Okay, Mr. Donnelly. >> The board um Excuse me. I would ask that the board uh uh tr table uh Roman numerals one and two until we can get a uh a better understanding as to what transpired uh with that issue and um maybe discuss it uh in executive session um uh at our next meeting. If I could correct that to be Roman numeral one and not two. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh thank you Mr. Donnelly. Uh so there has been a motion to table uh item number one uh on the civil service personnel report. This is item 2.02 on our agenda and there are two listings under item number one. Uh do I have a motion to table uh item number one in the civil
070service report? >> Is that you Mr. Frasier? Second. >> Second. >> Mr. Shapiro. Uh all in favor signify by saying I. I >> Okay. Uh, anyone opposed? Okay. Uh, I will vote nay on this one. Um, so that item will be tabled and, uh, with the remainder of the civil service report. Do I have a motion to approve the remainder of the civil service report excluding section one? >> Mrs. Hodgej. Second. >> Mr. Shapiro. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Very well. Uh then we're going to move on to public participation. Public participation now is on any district related business. If you are here to speak about any district related business, please approach the lectern. Please keep your comments to three minutes. Please give us your name
071and um uh please do not mention anyone in the district by name, whether staff, teacher, or student. Is there anybody who's here from the public to speak on any district related business? Okay, looks like not. So, I'm going to close that portion of the meeting and move on to board member comments. Do any board members have any comments tonight? Mr. Frasier, >> just want to say congratulations to all of our retirees. >> Thank you. Any other board members with any comments tonight? Mr. Shapiro, >> how'd you guess? >> What? >> Vot's over. >> Well, the vote's over, but maybe we should start talking about the 2027 vote now so that maybe in 2027 we can have more than 2400 people voting. But I'm not going to start. But I will start by saying uh to
072uh say ditto with Mr. Frasier's comments. Congratulations to the retirees. Um, in your next chapter, you're going to see that it is terrific to be a retiree. Who else here is a retiree? That's right. And life is great. Um, and I wish someone had added up the number of years that we just saw who retired from suffering. I thought about it this afternoon and yet we started and I forgot to do my adding and I ran out of fingers and toes. So, uh, possibly if someone just could come up with that figure. Uh that's a lot of years that we've lost. Um but they've put in great service and um the people who will be hired in uh most cases um hopefully will have a great career as well as the people who they'll be
073replacing. Um but I am not going to talk about the vote. Not yet. That's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Shapiro. Any other board members with comments tonight? Okay. Um well, I also would like to congratulate all of our retirees. It's wonderful not only hearing about your service, but also hearing about your future plans um after you leave the district. I'm not saying that you have your car gassed up and running outside, but I wouldn't be surprised if you did. Um but it's we've had so many people who gave so much of their life um to suffer and uh we're very lucky to have had their service for so many years. Uh thank you also to our food workers who did once again a really wonderful presentation for us tonight. Um I did not expect to
074do this meeting covered in powdered sugar, but that's okay. Um it was delicious. It was worth it. Uh our next meeting is going to be June 16th, Tuesday, June 16th back in Hillburn. Uh this will be our final meeting of the school year. Um and at this time uh we'll go to superintendent's closing comments. >> I have no further comments. >> Okay. Uh in that case um I'm going to uh request a motion to adjourn back to executive session as we did not complete the items that I read out earlier before the meeting. We will not return here for regular business. Uh we are going to adjourn the meeting completely after that. Uh, do I have a motion to adjourn this meeting to executive session to complete the items uh listed on our agenda? >>
075Second. >> Was it Mr. Frasier? Okay, >> Mr. Frasier and Mr. Donnelly. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Okay. Very well. Thank you everyone. Good evening. We are going to uh resume our executive session and see everybody back in Hillburn.