Retired employee Randy Ricks recalls 49 years tied to Saugerties schools

Randy Ricks, a retired employee who said his family has roots in local schools going back to the 1700s, summarized his ties to the Saugerties Central School District in a six-word story: “student, proud graduate, dedicated employee, and retiree.”

Ricks said he chose those six words to capture his long connection to the schools and to have “something fun” to share. He said being a student then returning as staff “reinforced the fact that the sense of community, the sense of the pride that people have.”

He recounted multi-generational attendance at one-room schoolhouses and at Cahill Elementary, saying his family’s history in the area made it “pretty easy” to pick his six words after nearly 49 years tied to the schools. He also described the operational scale of the district, noting it takes a lot “to run 6 buildings,” and praised “a lot of dedicated teachers.”

Although retired, Ricks said he remains active in school life: “I still chaperone a lot of sporting events,” he said, and added, “I run the scoreboard for the softball team.” He also highlighted long-term civic service outside the district, saying, “I’ve spent the last 45 years as a volunteer at the firehouse fire department.”

Ricks framed his remarks around volunteerism and community continuity, saying those ties have made staying in Saugerties a rewarding experience. He concluded by noting how involvement with coaches, school events and local volunteer groups keeps him connected to students and the broader community.