Sandy Creek Central School District

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My fellow community members,

I hope this message finds everyone in our school community both safe and well.
This year all of us have faced unprecedented events and enormous challenges. This pandemic rolled over us like a tsunami in early March and has been unrelenting ever since. In Covid's early onslaught, we became flooded with new information, literally with each new hour. It was evident that nearly as soon as directives were disseminated from the State Departments of Education and Health, they were made obsolete by subsequent requirements from Albany. In the education realm it became clear that, as our superintendent has stated, it was like "building an airplane in-flight." Many, if not most of the critical response planning decisions were made during Sundays, weekends and late evening Zoom meetings and phone calls, verifying that the duties of staff, administration, Superintendent and Board were truly a way of life, and not just a job. There are not words enough to express this Board's gratitude to all levels of our district for their response, as well as to this community for your support. The abilities of our incredible staff to adapt to new and innovative methods of instruction has become a model for many districts. There are not enough 'thank yous' to express our gratitude for what has been done by all.

Each year, the third week in October is reserved as School Board Recognition week across New York State. Those Board members whom you have selected to govern this district, both past and present, are among the finest individuals I have ever been associated with, and it is a credit to this community that you have selected them to serve. Over the years, your Board has found itself in the valleys of very difficult issues, as well as having reached the highest peaks in celebrating student successes. Covid response has been but one of many challenges faced. In every decision grappled with, members have weighed the needs of student programs against the ability of the community to support, being extremely sensitive to both, while attempting to achieve the delicate balance between the two. As Board members, we have aggressively debated one another on several occasions, and come away having gained greater appreciation for both sides of the issue. Many times we have agreed to disagree, yet we always come away in support of the Board's collective decision. Through it all we have maintained friendship and respect for one another. Past Board members can hold their heads high in those contributions which they have made during their years on this Board.

I am very proud and humbled, to be a part of this district, to be, and to have been surrounded by outstanding and passionate leaders, both at the Board table and beyond. At Sandy Creek we are rewarded with an incredible staff, administration and faculty. None of us can ever deny what a privilege it is to serve, and that ultimately, it is our students and their successes which are the reason we are here. They are at the core of every decision which we make.
Thank you for all the support you have shown this Board.