Sewanhaka School Board Honors Retiring Administrators

The June 26 meeting of the Sewanhaka Board of Education was a “bittersweet evening” in the eyes of Superintendent Dr. Ralph Ferrie: both and Douglas Monahan were retiring and this would be their last board meeting they would attend as employees of the district.

“It has been a true honor and pleasure to work with Mr. Michael DeMartino,” Dr. Ferrie said of the outgoing principal, whose last day was June 29. “I can only imagine the number of students whose lives you’ve touched over the past 39 years.”

The board presented a proclamation to DeMartino, which was read into the public record of the meeting. DeMartino had previously served as principal, assistant principal, pupil personnel services chairperson, guidance counselor and social studies teacher over the course of his as well as publicity advisors, advisors to the classes of 1975, 1983, organizer of the first career day at the school and on various committees including the district safety committee, operation and 5-year plan committee. DeMartino had also received the Nassau County Nassau Counselor’s Administrator of the Year Award, PTSA Open Hope Award, and St. John’s Leadership in Education award during his career.

The proclamation reads:

“...whereas (he) has created the kind of mutual respect of the faculty and students at New Hyde Park Memorial High School and whereas (he) has demonstrated the genuine caring and concern for the welfare of his teachers, staff and students, always treating them with dignity and with respect. (T)his board expresses its deep appreciation for the invaluable service rendered to the students of this school district and the community... and expresses its wish for many rewarding years of travel, future endeavors and time spent with family and friends.”

Turning next to Monaghan, the superintendent said that  “he has been a true colleague who has helped me. He’s just been of tremendous value in terms of the first year I’ve had. All his guidance and support are much appreciated.”

Monaghan retired effective July 1 after 30.5 years in the district beginning as an English teacher at H. Frank Carey in 1982. He also served as advisor to school newspaper, public relations, an advisor for domestic student exchange program, and curriculum guide. He was also named as English chair at H. Frank Carey before being assistant principal at New Hyde Park Memorial and principal of H. Frank Carey “where he dedicated himself to providing structural leadership while fostering a strong sense of school and community pride in his students,” Dr. Ferrie read from the proclamation.

He also mentored numerous future leaders in the advanced leadership course as a professor before being appointed assistant superintendent of pupil personnel services on July 1, 2008.

“He transforms the values, actions and visions into realities, obstacles into innovations, separateness into solidarity and risks into rewards,” Dr. Ferrie read. “The board of education deeply appreciates the outstanding services rendered to this school district by (him) and expresses its sincere wish for his continued good health, peace and happiness.”

After reading the document, the superintendent added on a personal note to Monaghan: “All I can say is ‘thank you’, truly thank you.”

Other board members also expressed their thanks to the two men.

“Both of you will be deeply missed and the shoes that you have left behind are going to be very difficult to fill and the people that follow you are going to have a very tough act to follow,” Del Santo said, suggesting that since they are New Hyde Park and Floral Park residents that they might run as board of education members.

“You’ve given freely of your time to your faculty, to your students, your colleagues, you’re well-respected by your colleagues here tonight and you’re going to be sorely missed,” board president Jean Fitchl said. “I don’t know how we’re going to fill your shoes but we’re going to try and we wish you only the best in your retirement.”