District honors retirees, tenure recipients and volunteers at board meeting

The Warwick Valley Central School District honored retirees, newly tenured staff and dedicated volunteers at its Board of Education meeting on Thursday.

With a full audience in the middle school auditorium, friends and family gathered to celebrate these career milestones and recognize the positive impact that the volunteers have made on the students of the district.

“I want to take a moment to acknowledge what a wonderful crowd we have gathered here. This speaks to the caliber of individuals we are honoring today as we recognize both retirees and those currently earning tenure,” Dr. David Leach, Superintendent of Schools, said. “This group is truly extraordinary. As a Yankees fan who has experienced the pain of losses, I look at the names before us and see the incredible talent that deserves our recognition and appreciation.”

2024-2025 WVCSD Retirees 

• Patricia Bessler
• Kelly Brunner
• Nicholas DiLeo
• Kathleen Flansburg
• Bettyann Grace
• Denise Guido
• Cathy Hayes
• Barbara Leary
• Suzanne Lepski
• Christine Mahon
• Jon Mausling
• George McManus
• William Mindich
• Janeen Mitchell
• Millie Rivera
• Elize Saint-Vil
• Dorothy Ansley-Smith
• Tracey Waters

 

Tenured Teachers Class of 2025 

• Emily R. Smeltzer
• Krystie M. Gilmore
• Chris Fiorentino
• Gabriel J. Perez
• John A. Vanderstar
• Lisa J. Martimucci
• Charles E. Sommerlad
• Juan G. Arteaga
• Brendan C. Bauer
• Chelsea N. Fox
• Melissa M. Loubier
• Kaitlyn M. Durbin
• Danielle M. Cancel
• Stephanie A. Wayte
• Alexandra R. Steinburg
• Makenna B. DiGuilio
• Ashley M. McPherson
• Katherine E. Lanzano
• Brad R. Garcia
• Beata Saa
• Amanda R. Quackenbush
• Casey L. Besimer
• Francesca Longo
• Patricia A. Gillen
• Melissa G. Sukennikoff

Check out this video to learn more about our tenured teachers!

In addition to honoring the retirees at the June 5 meeting, the PTAs honored a few individuals.

 

Jodi Denmead Outstanding Parent Volunteer Award 

The Jodi Denmead Outstanding Parent Volunteer Award has been presented since 2008-09 to deserving volunteers, in honor and memory of Jodi Denmead, a very active parent volunteer in our school PTAs. This year’s award was given to Vanessa Holland, who has made significant contributions to education through numerous efforts to secure and protect funding for public schools. Additionally, she was a chair member at the Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning (WFEL) for eight years, helped unify local PTAs and collaborated with local businesses for charitable initiatives. Her extensive volunteer work and leadership roles highlight her dedication to improving educational opportunities and supporting community efforts in Warwick Valley and beyond. 

 

Shining Star PTA Parent Volunteer Award

The annual Shining Star Awards are given to exceptional PTA volunteers at each school (see gallery of photos below!):

Park Ave: Christine McKnight
Sanfordville: Karen Bess
Middle School: Sonia Melendez Rodriguez
High School: Heather Parsons