Rondout Valley ceremony honors tenured teachers and retirees

The Rondout Valley Central School District held an awards evening to honor newly tenured teachers, retiring staff and recipients of the Thomas King Distinguished Service Award. Carolyn Peck, speaking for the committee and the Board of Education, opened the program and introduced co-chairs Dean Rilowicz and Christine Kelder, calling the night "a wonderful evening of celebration and recognition."

Board president Chris Schoemaker was acknowledged for receiving the Mid Hudson School Study Council Award last week, and speakers highlighted the importance of tenure and long service to the district. A list of newly tenured teachers was read aloud, and the board recognized 14 retirees whose combined service totals 336 years. Individuals called to the stage included Marcel Barbier, Barbara Davenport, Steve Stevens, Marcel Dugan Hassenfloo, Deborah Newman, Ginger Long, David Cook, Kathy Heikade, Bonnie Markle, Diane Melville, Greg Jones, Kevin Mutts, Dawn Della Mater and Tony Cincotta.

Nominators read letters for recipients of the Thomas King Distinguished Service Award, recounting long careers, program leadership and personal impacts on students and colleagues. Nominations and acceptance remarks were given for Russell Henzey, Diane Bracklow, Kim Gorney ("Ms. G"), Kathy Heikade, Kathy Turner, Dawn Dellamater, Deborah Newman, Joseph D'Alessio, Shannon Van Norman and others. Jackie Van Dosel was named the Board Choice recipient; a third-grade student, Austin Swaney, read a short tribute about Van Dosel's kindness and leadership.

Superintendent Paul Spadaro delivered closing remarks thanking organizers and praising the district’s educators for their daily impact. Attendees were invited to refreshments in the cafeteria. The event was ceremonial in nature and did not include formal motions, votes, or policy decisions by the board.