SWR Board of Education members were lauded for their efforts during School Board Recognition Week (Oct. 19-23), the New York State School Boards Association’s annual awareness campaign that highlights the important role that school board members have within a school district.

At the Oct. 20 Board of Education meeting, the seven Board members – president Mr. Michael Lewis, vice president Mrs. Katie Andersen and trustees Mr. Henry Perez, Mr. Robert Rose, Mr. Thomas Sheridan, Mr. James Smith and Mrs. Meghan Tepfenhardt – were commended for their tireless efforts on behalf of students, staff and community residents.

“It takes strong schools to have a strong community, and these trustees – our Board of Education – devote countless hours to making sure that our schools are helping every child learn at a higher level,” Superintendent of Schools Mr. Gerard Poole said. “They make the tough decisions every month and spend many hours studying education issues and regulations in order to provide the kind of educational oversight this community and students certainly deserve.”

Each trustee was gifted with a framed certificate of appreciation and a gourmet gift package. Wading River School principal Mr. Louis Parrinello and Miller Avenue School principal Mrs. Claudia Smith then introduced a video featuring students throughout the district sending their words of gratitude to the trustees.