Irvington Congratulates, Bids Farewell to District Staff and Board Members

Irvington's Board of Education held a reception Tuesday to honor staff retirees, newly-tenured teachers and members of their own board who will not be returning to serve the district next year.

Retirees included: Mary Jane Roth and Joan Snell, teachers; Joan Chipley, a teacher aide; Arlene Schlecht and Linda Bulmer, administrative office assistants and Lynn Shotts, a custodian. Each retiree was presented with a wrapped gift and a potted plant on behalf of the PTSA.

Snell, an avid gardener and Irvington resident who taught at the Main Street School for 27 years said, "I had a wonderful, almost-three decades here, and I'm ready to try something else."

Mary Jane Roth, who could not be in attendance, taught for many years at Main Street School and Irvington Middle School. The board expressed their gratitude for all her efforts during her years in the Irvington school district and wished her the best of luck.

"Mary Jane Roth was an incredible third grade teacher who changed my son's life," Less Jacobs, whose children have since graduated, said. "And if she hears this, I want her to know that. She not only looked at each child individually, but she was brave enough to teach a very experimental math program."

Secretary Linda Bulmer worked for the Irvington School district for 13 years. "Linda was handed so many different things and handled them with ease and grace," John Dawson, a school board member, said. "She'll be a tough loss. I think she does a lot for us, so hers are tough shoes to fill.

Arlene Schlecht, who featured her granddaughter Caitlyn in a 'babies photography contest' a few years back, was joined by that very same granddaughter Tuesday.

Custodian Lynn Shotts, who has worked for the Irvington School District for 20 years, was praised by the board for two decades of excellent service.

Joan Chipley, a secretary at Dows Lane, said she had enjoyed her time in Irvington but she and her husband would be relocating to the South for their retirement.

Teachers awarded tenure were then recognized and congratulated by the board.  Irvington High School recipients included: Sara Savalli, science (chemistry and forensics); Amy Ma, Science (Biology); Lisa Pappalardi, Health. 

Irvington Middle School tenure recipients were: Tracy Coulson, English; Jessica Doherty, special education; and Debra Tuzman, music. Tuzman also teaches at the Main Street School.

Main Street School and Dows Lane each had one teacher awarded tenure—Eric Guerrero, psychologist and Karen Acrish, special education. Scott Palermo, director of PPS and Gail Kreiger, speech were awarded tenure for their roles in the district at large.

The final part of the reception was dedicated to bidding farewell to school board members who would not be returning to serve the district another term. Evan Eisland and Michael Morley both sat on the board for two years, but chose not to run for re-election this year. 

"It's a sad night for us because we have two very hard working and dedicated board members leaving," Kathleen Matusiak, district superintendent, said. "We will miss them very much."

And former board president and still-active school supporter Tanya Hunt, echoed Matusiak's sentiment in thanking Morley and Eisland for their service.

"Mike and Evan are fathers, attorneys, and dedicated public servants with whom I was privileged to serve," Hunt said. Each of them has always been willing to thoughtfully consider all the facts, reasonably tackle various issues and concerns confronting our school district, and most importantly make judgments and decisions each considered was the best for the district."

Eisland said: "It truly has been an honor and a privilege to be called upon by the Irvington School District. You are all dedicated professionals who really care about the district. "

After thanking his family for "bearing with him," Michael Morley extended his gratitude to "all the school board members, past, present and future."

"I really appreciate everything they do," he said. "They have a true commitment to our community and to our kids."

After the reception a regular board meeting began with the recognition of the Girls Softball team, who received the New York State Scholar Athletes award by earning a collective 97.1 grade point average. The team was presented with a banner that will be displayed in the campus gym.