Cornwall school board swears in new member, grants tenure to 14 staff and honors longtime retirees

The Cornwall Central School District Board of Education on June 15 swore in newly elected member Kate Carry, granted tenure to a slate of district employees and honored a slate of longtime retirees and awardees during its annual celebration meeting.

Mr. Frink administered the oath of office for Carry, who filled a vacated seat and will serve through the remainder of the term. Superintendent Mrs. Arjenio congratulated Carry and said other newly elected board members will be sworn in at the next meeting.

The board approved personnel actions granting tenure to administrator candidates and, in a separate vote, to teachers and teaching assistants. Brendan moved and Jim seconded the motions as read from the floor; both motions passed by voice vote during the meeting. The board also approved items 2 through 21 on the consent agenda; the transcript records an abstention but does not provide a roll-call tally in the public record.

The meeting centered on celebrations. Superintendent Mrs. Arjenio led a series of recognitions for retirees and long-serving staff. High school retiree tributes included Mike Cromer—recognized for 32½ years that included roles as athletic director, coach and longtime PE teacher—and Coach Dave Foyer, lauded for a 42-year career and extensive team achievements. Facilities and operations staff were also honored, including Fred Cassiano for about 25 years of custodial service at multiple district buildings.

District leaders read names of 14 employees granted tenure across Cornwall’s schools, highlighting roles from classroom teachers and special-education staff to administrators and the district’s director of human resources. The Cornwall Central Teachers Association presented Carolyn Pinero, a school social worker at Cornwall Hudson Elementary School, as the 2026 Educator of the Year for her work supporting students and organizing community drives.

In administrative business, the board and superintendent announced the appointment of Kate Palumbo as assistant superintendent for instruction; Mrs. Arjenio described Palumbo’s 14 years in the district and said she would move into the cabinet role next month.

Student representatives and principals also reported end-of-year activities—moving-up ceremonies, field trips, music festivals and state exam schedules—then the board heard a student presentation on artificial intelligence (see separate article).

The board closed with brief remarks thanking retirees, congratulating tenure recipients and wishing students a safe summer. The meeting adjourned by voice vote.

What happens next: a number of new hires and administrator appointments will begin in the coming weeks; the board will swear in additional elected members at its next regular meeting.