St. James Elementary School Principal Reflects On Career

SMITHTOWN, NY — Mary Grace Lynch has served as the principal at St. James Elementary School for the past 20 years. At the end of the academic year in June, however, she will be celebrating her retirement, the Smithtown Central School District announced in a news release.

The board of education formally approved the upcoming retirements of Lynch and
district Athletic Director Pat Smith at its meeting on Tuesday.

"The most special thing has been the people — absolutely the people," said Lynch, who plans to remain in the area after retiring. “The students, the staff, the families, the community as a whole — it’s all just exceptional.”

Lynch expects the next several months to be emotional and nostalgic. She will be joined in retirement by her secretary at St. James Elementary, Jane Groneman.

"The building itself is a historical building that I’ll miss," Lynch said. "Teaching and learning are my passions. I started in education 39 years ago. It’s going to be a different life. But I have two grandchildren and I have a lot of hobbies that I’ve put on the side, and many, many books to read. I’m looking forward to it."

Before joining St. James Elementary, Lynch taught for a combined 15 years at the elementary level in New York City and Brentwood. She also served as an assistant principal and principal in the Connetquot Central School District before joining St. James Elementary.