Schools

Sewanhaka School Board Attorney to Step Down After 32 Years

Attorney Douglas Libby to retire at end of September.

Following three decades of sitting on the Sewanhaka High School Board of Education, attorney Douglas Libby will be retiring at the end of September.

Sewanhaka Superintendent Dr. Ralph Ferrie made the announcement at the August 28 meeting of the board of education at , saying that “with sadness,” it would be effective as of September 30.

“In the time that I came to the district, Mr. Libby has been extremely supportive, an invaluable resource to the administration and the board, someone who has 32 years with the district and 38 years of public service and certainly a lot to be proud of,” Dr. Ferrie said.

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The board would have a transitional period over the course of the next month as a replacement for Libby is found.

“It’s a very hard thing to leave,” Libby said. “I think the only one who’s happy is my wife. I sincerely have considered always from the first day I was appointed here it to be a privilege to serve the public.”

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Libby graduated from Fordham University in 1971, obtaining his law degree from St. John’s Law School in 1974. 

“It’s been a pleasure working with you Mr. Libby and I’ve known you,” board president Jean Fichtl said. “We’re together almost 17 years.”


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