Luciana gets Master of Boardsmanship award

Chester — Mary Luciana, a 12-year member of the Chester Board of Education, received the highest recognition available for a board member given by the New York State School Board Association: a Master of Boardsmanship in the Leadership Development Recognition Program. The award was presented by John Feller, director of the Area 9 New York State School Board Association. Achieving this level is no easy task. Board members must complete 200 hours of training through workshops, conventions, and other New York State School Board Association sponsored-events. Luciana completed eight courses from the School Board Institute last year, and attended the State Legislative Network Summer Academy for Veteran Members. Candidates must also be involved in activities outside their own district. Luciana was an officer in the Orange County School Board Association. Out of 2,500 school board members across New York state, only 100 have achieved the level of Master of Boardsmanship, a program started a few years ago. “I am very proud,” said Luciana. “I do believe we have to be lifelong learners, like we ask our students. Education is an ever-changing thing. We won’t do a service to our students and our district if we don’t keep up on things.”