During the district’s Board of Education meeting on June 15, the Board recognized 14 staff members who were awarded tenure, while also honoring the 2016-17 retirees and 25 year employees.

Administrators, faculty members and their families attended the commendations in the Elwood Middle School auditorium. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Bossert opened the meeting by congratulating those being honored that evening for their dedication and service to the district and introduced the first tenure recipients who are administrators in the district. Those that received tenure included Assistant Superintendent for Business Keri Loughlin, Harley Avenue Primary School principal Elissa Millan, James H. Boyd Intermediate School principal Dr. Denise Toscano and Elwood Middle School Assistant Principal Dawn Valle.

The principals of each school then presented a plaque to their teachers and teaching assistants who also received tenure. These included teachers Moiro Citko, Jessica Hasday, Shanna LaBarbera, Sima Lis, Megan Riley, Lisa Rosenthal, Danielle Sullivan, Jennifer Vacchio and teaching assistants Maria Gagliardi and Kelsie Wilkinson.

Retirees were praised by their fellow administrators for their positive impact on the students and school community. Those recognized were Lee Anderson, Nancy Barkocy, Noreen Driscoll, Ann Gengenbach, Christine Graber, David Heiss, Susan Masserwick, Denise Preto, Cynthia Smith, Donna Verton, Linda Wilson, Carol Yamond and Marcia Zatulskis.  

Faculty members Jan Fairchild, Anthony Gallo, Michael Marino, Darren Szokoli and David Trabulsi were presented with trophies for their 25 years of service in the district. Each were congratulated by the Board and administrators for their hard work and dedication for so many years.

In addition, Elwood Middle School principal Dr. Hugh Gigante was commended for his leadership at the school as he will leave to take on his new position at Western Suffolk BOCES.

“We congratulate you on your new position, as we know it is a career aspiration for you,” said Dr. Bossert. “But we are saddened of your departure because of your profound positive impact on Elwood Middle School over the last seven years.”

Board of Education president Michael LaMena was also recognized as it was his last meeting serving on the Board. Board vice president Julia Fried thanked Mr. LaMena for his dedication to the district.

“He is committed to a focused process which has proven to unite the Board this year and has made for a very successful transition for our new superintendent,” said Mrs. Fried. “Mike, we will miss your calm leadership but we are grateful for the time you served on the Board. We are all better for it.”

The final two recognitions were for district clerk Nancy Mancini, who will retire from her role with the Board and transition into her new role in transportation and technology, as well as incoming Elwood-John H. Glenn High School senior Joseph Pacifico, who was commended for his assistance with the webcast broadcasting of the Board of Education meetings throughout the school year.

Congratulations to all and thank you for your outstanding service to the district!