Warwick Valley School District names new principals at high school and Park Avenue

| 30 Sep 2011 | 08:17

    Board also recognizes scholar-athletes and retirees in its last meeting of the school year, By Abby Wolf Warwick - At its final meeting of the 2009-10 school year, the Warwick Valley School Board named Richard Linkens as the new principal for the high school. Linkens, a long-time teacher in the district, previously was Director of ELA, Social Studies and AIS at Warwick Valley High, and was approved for tenure at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. He succeeds Annie Streiff, who leaves to pursue her doctorate. She was hired last fall. Schools Superintendent Dr. Raymond Bryant said he believes in supporting excellence in teaching and hiring from within is a good way to demonstrate that belief. Meanwhile, the School Board appointed Park Avenue Elementary principal Kathleen Affigne as director of instructional services, for a three-year probationary period. Johnna Maraia will take over from Affigne as principal at Park Avenue. Other personnel changes Eighteen teachers and staff members were recommended for tenure by the board, including Richard Linkens, incoming high school principal; Johnna Maraia, incoming principal at Park Avenue Elementary; Catherine King Steinberg, special education; Melinda Kessler, music; and Monica DeBiase, science. The board recognized more than one dozen retiring teachers, staff and district employees for their years of service to the school children of the district. Among those exiting are Barbara “Bobbie” Trager, executive secretary to the district superintendent, retiring after 11 years, and Dorothy Wilson, clerk for the Board of Education, leaving after 64 years of service. Wilson is “an extremely private person,” Bryant said, who figured she was “just doing her job.” Bryant welcomed Vilma Pizarro as the incoming executive secretary to the district superintendent. Student recognition The school board handed out many commendations Tuesday night, recognizing the following Middle School students’ win during the Orange County Quiz Bowl: Matt Barker, Noah Blank, Alexa Castellano, Kyle DeGonge, Robert Keane and R. J. Zayas. The following students were commended as scholar-athletes: Pierre Charles Armand, track; Tim Horton, golf; Gabriella Astorino, girls track; Alexis Millburn, girls softball; Collin Baldwin, boys lacrosse; Casey Whitney, tennis; John Denmead, baseball; Dan Zakzewski, boys crew; Allison Fatzynytz, girls lacrosse; John Babbin, football; Jimmy Balsamo, Connor VanderPlat and Dylan Hartwick, crew. Mike Grace and Byron Quinn made All-American. Budget vote certified The Board of Education voted to certify the results of last month’s budget vote: Proposition #1 (Budget) Yes - 1,956, No 1,132 Proposition # 2 (Buses) Yes - 1,533, No - 1,564 Proposition #3 (High School student as non-voting board member) Yes - 2,002, N - 1,121 Election of Board Members: Cheryl Barker - 1,987 votes Dawn Chester - 1,997 votes Robert Howe - 2,029 votes Other business The school board approved to keep Dr. Raymond Bryant as Schools Superintendent. The district voted to terminate its contract agreement with the architectural firm Bernier, Carr Group, with the exception of the firm’s work on the fire alarm project and building survey. In its place, the board voted to appoint the engineering firm of Eisenbach & Ruhnke as architects for the district. The Board of Education accepted a $1,000 donation from Raymond and Valerie Bryant, to establish the Dorothy Wilson Service Scholarship.