Norden resigns school board post

Reason for decision could be personal or due to election fallout

By FRITZ MAYER

WESTERN SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Only 10 months after being voted into office by a board that seemingly had been given a mandate for reform by voters, president Arthur Norden unexpectedly submitted his resignation to the Sullivan West Board of Education.

The resignation came by way of a short email sent to the board on the morning of May 17. The email gave no reason for the resignation, but indicated that it was effective immediately. A meeting had previously been scheduled for that evening, and was presided over by outgoing Vice President Shawn Bailey. The board accepted the resignation.

The surprise move came two days after district voters rejected the slate of candidates that included incumbent Vice President Shawn Bailey, Geoffrey Gangel and Tom Prendergast, which Norden had publicly endorsed. Norden had publicly criticized the slate of three candidates?Ken Cohen, Richard Sandler and Richard Tegnander? who won the election as “throwback candidates.” These three candidates are widely seen as being less enthusiastic about reopening the Delaware Valley and Narrowsburg schools, which were closed in August 2005 because of budget considerations.

Sources familiar with the situation speculated that Norden’s sudden resignation was triggered by the election results, while others indicated that health concerns and personal matters also played a role. Norden did not return a call seeking comment.

The board has several options in dealing with the board vacancy. It can appoint a new member within 90 days to serve the remainder of Norden’s term through June 30, 2008. If it does not appoint a new member within 90 days, the superintendent may then make the appointment. Or, the board may choose to hold a special election to fill the vacancy. The board put off a decision until the next meeting, which will be held on June 27.

The board is reorganized and votes for a president and vice president every July, so it is possible that the board will not act until then.

At the meeting, Richard Sandler, a former board member who will take his seat on the board in July, advocated during the public comment period that because there are 14 months left in the term, the board should hold a special election.

Whatever happens, the district will see new faces at the top, starting in July. There will be a new president, as well as a new superintendent. On May 3, the board voted to hire 59-year-old Ken Hilton as superintendent to replace Alan Derry, who is leaving at the end of June to accommodate his wife’s medical condition. Hilton is a former history teacher and is now working as the executive director of the Rush Henrietta Central School District near Rochester.

With these changes ahead, there is hope among residents that the disharmony that has characterized the board meetings over the past few years, and its statewide reputation for acrimony, will subside, and a more civil tone will emerge.

Sullivan West seeks interested school board candidates

The Sullivan West Board of Education is anticipating either appointing a new member or holding a special election to fill a vacancy on the board created by a recent resignation.

Anyone interested in this possibility is asked to send a letter of intent, including biographical information and qualifications, by June 4 to Sullivan West Central School, Margaret L. Luty, District Clerk, District Office, P.O. Box 308, Jeffersonville, NY 12748.