CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - The Katonah-Lewisboro School District took time this month to salute the people who are either “closing a remarkable chapter of service or beginning a promising journey with KLSD.”
More than 40 retirees and tenure recipients were honored in a gala ceremony at John Jay High School. In addition, two longtime school board members—the president, Julia Hadlock, and Trustee Rory Burke—as well as Student Trustee Ian Paz received proclamations of thanks for their service.
For the 14 honorees receiving tenure, the night carried a tangible benefit: tenure meant they are protected against arbitrary dismissal. Educators earn tenure status after satisfactory completion of a probationary assessment period, usually four years. Now, termination can come only for “just cause.”
But the jubilant evening was, as always, a celebration more of service than job security. Honorees in attendance were greeted with a reception, including refreshments and the piano offerings of Oliver Schlecter. Later, the student band Route 121 played in the high school cafeteria as everyone took seats for the centerpiece of the school board’s June 5 meeting.
An annual event, Staff Recognition Night at John Jay was a first for Dr. Raymond Blanch, who took the reins as school superintendent here last July after 14 years leading Somers schools. “As a new member of the KLSD family,” he said in remarks to start the observance, “one thing has quickly become clear to me: Children are truly the heart of everything we do.”
KLSD leaders—building principals, department heads and others—came by turns to the microphone to salute their individual staffers’ contributions, dedication and personality.
Blanch, for his part, described their “profound and lasting” impact on generations of students, declaring that such “commitment shines through in the dedication, passion and excellence of our educators.”
“So tonight,” he told the honorees, “whether you’re closing a remarkable chapter of service or beginning a promising journey with KLSD, I wish you continued joy and fulfillment.”
SCHOOL BOARD
The school board’s vice president, Lorraine Gallagher, thanked Hadlock for “an amazing” nine-year run, observing that “Julia is leaving a tremendous hole in our board.”
A longtime friend of the outgoing president and likely her successor, Gallagher said, “Julia never hesitates to jump in and help with any task, no matter how big or small. . . . This is a volunteer job that demands endless hours, and you always show up without complaint and always with a smile.”
She said the KLSD community “is forever grateful for your unending service to our children and the amazing staff.”
Rory Burke was not in the trustee seat he’s productively held for the past six years. So, Hadlock read a proclamation noting his active service, including chairmanship of the board’s finance and sustainability committees and membership on four others, and promised to “send him off more formally at the board’s next meeting.”
Ian Paz, elected by students to serve as their representative on the school board, was saluted by proclamation for serving “the entire Katonah-Lewisboro community with distinction through his vision, curiosity, citizenship, service, critical thinking and collaboration.”
TENURE RECIPIENTS
John Jay High School
Alexa Kauffman, guidance counselor
Jonathan Peter, physics teacher
Davis Santiago, ENL teacher
Christopher Shamkin, social studies teacher
John Jay Middle School
Adrionna Palmiero, physical education teacher
Increase Miller Elementary School
Alison Brotmann, special education teacher
Mara Ivkosic, teaching assistant
Heather Sutorius Carroll, special education teacher
Katonah Elementary School
Rebecca Corrigan, teacher
Jennifer Rutigliano, teacher
Meadow Pond Elementary School
Ashlyn Field, principal
Diana Mikelis, teacher
Kaitlyn Orr, ENL teacher (MPES and IMES)
KLSD
Neill Alleva, assistant superintendent for human resources
RETIREES
John Jay High School
Lisa Delaney, teaching assistant
Brian Dillane, special education teacher
Elena Dunn, teaching assistant
Michelle Gaudio, math teacher,
Chandler Lewis, English teacher,
Marisa Merlino, director of guidance
Diane Nerwen, art teacher
John Jay Middle School
Mary Cannova, clerk
Mary Dillon, ELA and social studies teacher
Gregory Kastanis, science teacher
Patrick Mazza, custodial worker
Patricia O’Gorman, science teacher
Tina Russo, technology teacher
William Seibert, special education teacher
Catherine Smollon, math teacher
Nicholas Stathis, science teacher
Increase Miller Elementary School
Charles McGarvie, physical therapist
Michele Mupo-Kressu, teaching assistant
Christine Samuelsohn, third-grade teacher
Katonah Elementary School
Sheryl Resnick Carini, kindergarten teacher
Meadow Pond Elementary School
Michael Vitulli, custodial worker
KLSD
Herbert Erker, maintenance mechanic
Robert Lapolla, maintenance mechanic
Moira Kehoe, bus driver
Mary Anne Carroll, executive assistant
Jo Ann Lapolla, personnel assistant
Christopher Nelson, director of technology
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