Sullivan West board pays tribute to departing president

LAURIE RAMIE
Posted 6/28/17

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Sullivan West Central School District Board of Education expressed appreciation to their former president and 10-year member Mary K. Scheutzow as she participated in …

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Sullivan West board pays tribute to departing president

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LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Sullivan West Central School District Board of Education expressed appreciation to their former president and 10-year member Mary K. Scheutzow as she participated in her last meeting by video phone June 16.

Scheutzow’s retirement opened up a seat that was won by Jennifer Nystrom in the May 16 election. Nystrom will take office at the board’s July 6 reorganizational meeting to be held at 7 p.m. in the Sullivan West High School Library.

To complement a bouquet of flowers delivered to Scheutzow’s home that day, Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hackett became tearful while reading a certificate that stated in part, “You devoted your time, wisdom, and soul to this district.” 

Board members individually praised Scheutzow’s mentor role during her decade on the board, which included seven years as president.

Ken Cohen noted that Scheutzow’s tenure coincided with the controversial merger of the Delaware Valley, Narrowsburg, and Jeffersonville-Youngsville districts into Sullivan West Central School.

“It was a long process to put the district in the right direction and bring the community together. She brought a calming temperament and leadership style. She was just the right person to lead the board,” he said, adding that Sullivan West emerged from that time of “embattlement” to become one of the top-performing districts.

Rose Joyce-Turner pointed out other accomplishments with Scheutzow at the lead, including selling two vacant buildings after the merger, hiring Dr. Hackett as superintendent and helping to negotiate teacher contracts without having to call in lawyers.

She praised Scheutzow for her “courage, decency, and thoughtfulness.”

For her part, Scheutzow said, “It was my privilege to serve. We have a wonderful board, and I really have appreciated the opportunity.”

Rachel Brey responded by saying, “It’s the board’s privilege that you were here and you taught us all a lot.”

In other business, Krystal Herbert informed the board that the Life Skills program she teaches will transition experimentally in the new school year to a full day at Sullivan West rather than students attending vocational classes at Sullivan County BOCES in Liberty for a half-day. The district is installing a workplace learning lab called the Practical Assessment Exploration System, which offers computer technology, construction/industrial, processing/production, consumer/service, and business/marketing components. Students will receive job skills training to work in locations such as the nurse’s office, cafeteria, reception, store, and custodial care, and partnerships will be sought for job shadowing opportunities in the Sullivan West vicinity.

Besides resulting in a minimum savings of $13,000 per student to stay in-house, Herbert said this will provide more time for individualized instruction, allow students more educational electives and better integrate them into school life.

On August 1, the Sullivan West Community Task Force will host its second annual National Night Out from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Delaware Community Center in Callicoon.

The mission of the block party—which will feature free food, music, and games—is to send a message that everyone must work together to keep Sullivan West kids and the community safe.

Volunteers and donations are welcome by contacting Laurie Henry at 845/932-8401, ext. 1100 or henrylau@swcsd.org to make arrangements.

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