Port Washington schools honor 10‑year tenure recipients and retirees; board formally awards tenure

The Port Washington Union Free School District on May 5 recognized dozens of educators at a combined tenure and retiree ceremony and voted to award tenure to this year's recipients.

Board President Adam Smith opened the program and turned the event over to Dr. Chris Shields, who said the district has 35 educators receiving tenure this year and 18 staff members retiring at the end of the school year. Dr. Shields called each honoree by school and asked the audience to applaud as recipients came forward to receive flowers and a district-presented memento.

Superintendent Dr. Posse and speakers from staff and labor organizations praised the honorees' contributions. Dr. Meg Sheehan, co-president of the APSA unit, and a PWTA representative thanked teachers and paraprofessionals for their service. The district also noted a slideshow of classroom photos prepared for the event and thanked staff who organized the evening.

Following the program, the board moved to a formal vote on resolution 4.1, "award of tenure." Adam Smith made the motion and it was seconded; the board approved the resolution by voice vote, recorded as 7–0 in favor. Board members then recessed the meeting for a reception.

The recognition night included a reading of dozens of individual names from across the district’s elementary and secondary schools and districtwide positions, and a separate roll call of retirees who will receive engraved bells and flowers. The board thanked donors and partners that helped host the reception.

The ceremony concluded with a recess to a reception in the cafeteria; the board reconvened later that evening to continue its business.