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T he Whitehall Board of Education took time to honor its own during last week’s monthly board meeting.
Board member George Armstrong was presented with an award for his dedicated service to the district.
Armstrong who is completing his 16th year on the board and was elected as town supervisor in November attended his last meeting.
He will step down effective Jan. 1. According to New York State law, the position of supervisor is the only government official that cannot serve on the board of education.
Whitehall superintendent James Watson praised Armstrong for his years of service to the district.
“On a personal note, I’ve always admired his ability to balance the educational needs and the needs of the students.”
Board president Mark DeLuca also thanked Armstrong for his service.
After exchanging pleasantries, the board voted to leave Armstrong’s seat vacant until Board of Education elections this May.
The board could have held a special election to fill the remaining four years on Armstrong’s term, but an election would have cost the board money, so they decided to wait until May when the terms of Mike Putorti and Joyce Corcoran come to an end.
At the time the two candidates who receive the most votes would win the five year terms of Putorti and Corcoran. The third highest vote total would serve out the remainder of Armstrong’s term.
During the meeting the board also presented service pin awards to non-instructional employees. The pins are presented to employees who have achieved milestones in years of service.
Ten employees received pins. Paul DeLuca (cleaner), Alan Carswell (cleaner), Randy Balch (Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds), Kristen Aubin (treasurer), and Leda Palmer (bus driver) were all honored for 10 years of service while Shelia Moore (asst. cook), April Bigelow (cleaner), Brenda Rehm (bus driver), Beth Lavin (bus driver), and Penny Hollister (bus driver) were all recognized for 15 years of service.
The board also changed the dates of several meeting (they are normally held on the third Monday of each month) and they will be held on the following dates: Jan. 17, Feb. 16, March 19, March 26 (if necessary), April 16, May 7, and June 18.
In other matters, Watson said he has scheduled a meeting on Jan. 5 with Senator Betty Little and one of her counterparts from Long Island to discuss the inequities that exist in state aid between upstate districts and downstate districts.
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