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CROSS RIVER, N.Y. – The Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education approved tenure for 12 staff members, including nine teachers, in a ceremony held this week at the John Jay Middle School Theater.
After a reception in the theater’s lobby, the school board oversaw a program that featured speeches extolling the accomplishments and qualifications of the tenure recipients, as well as a musical interlude provided by John Jay High School’s a cappella singing groups, The Rolling Tones and The Notables.
“This is an important ceremony for us,” Schools Superintendent Paul Kreutzer told the audience. “Tenure is not a rite of passage. It’s a checkpoint of quality and commitment. When we offer tenure, it’s a significant commitment. We are asking them to stay with us for the rest of their careers.”
The 2012 tenure recipients are:
- Allison Emig, special education teacher, Increase Miller Elementary
- Linda Kirshenbaum, music teacher, Lewisboro Elementary
- Melissa Palombini, speech teacher, Katonah Elementary
- Wendy Anderson, social studies teacher, John Jay Middle School
- Laura Woelfel, home and careers teacher, John Jay Middle School
- Timothy Cairl, social studies teacher, John Jay High School
- Erin Harrison, school counseling, John Jay High School
- Michelle Mancinelli, special education teacher, John Jay High School
- Jane Nixon-Willis, English teacher, John Jay High School
- Lee Lew, school business administrator
- Christian McCarthy, director of health, physical education, athletics and wellness
- Alice Cronin, assistant superintendent for instruction.
Kreutzer had special praise for Cronin, who also served the district as a teacher and a principal before becoming an assistant superintendent.
“You don’t know what you have here with Alice; you really don’t,” he said. “She’s been invaluable to me since I arrived last summer. She’s been unflappable.”
Board President Mark Lipton also gave kudos to the newly tenured faculty members.
“Our students are ending another successful year and I want to thank the teachers,” he said. “By granting you tenure we are also renewing our confidence in our staff.”
Comments (1)
Alice Cronin is an educator to be praised and respected. You are a gem.