The Herricks Board of Education marked the end of an era last Thursday night as long-time trustees Peter Grisafi and Richard Buckley sat at a meeting as board members for the last time.
Grisafi, who was beginning his 17th year of service, and Buckley, who served for nine years, both chose to not run for re-election earlier this year.
And both offered emotional words of farewell to their fellow board members and district administrators.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 17 years,” Grisafi said. “I loved every minute of it – well, almost every minute of it.”
Grisafi said he would have loved to have remained on the board to face the difficult economic challenges that lay ahead, but he felt it was time to end his service. He served as president of the school board for four years and vice president of the board for two years during his tenure.
Grisafi is senior vice president and chief operating officer of The Institute for Family Health, a community health-clinic organization.
Grisafi thanked the district teachers, the administrative staff, the PTA and all the board members he served with, singling out Buckley and Dr. Sanjay Jain, another trustee.
He also extended particular thanks to Herricks Superintendent of Schools John Bierwirth.
“Jack brought something to the district when it needed a lot,” Grisafi said.
Grisafi also thanked his wife, Marie, and his sons, Jason and Peter, who were in the audience, for tolerating the “numerous” Thursday nights when he was attending board meetings.
“Thank you for your support,” he said, acknowledging the residents who voted for him. “Hopefully, I’ve done justice to everyone who’s supported me through the years.”
Buckley, who was vice president during his final term and also had served as board president, estimated that he had put in 500 hours of service over nearly a decade on the board.
Earlier this year, Buckley was named coordinator for the music department at Lawrence High School, where he has taught for many years. He also recently became director-in-residence for productions at the Sid Jacobson Community Center in Roslyn.
In March, he said his youngest daughter, Julia, will be graduating high school next year and he has long believed that board members should have children attending schools in the district.
“It was very rewarding and it was always for the children,” he said. “Every decision we made was for the children.”
He acknowledged Bierwirth, alluding to occasions of disagreement, saying, “We had our moments.”
Buckley also thanked his wife, Elaine, and his daughters, Emily and Julia, who were in the audience.
He also acknowledged his fellow board members, including board President Christine Turner, a veteran of 21 years on the board.
“It’s been amazing,” he said. “Thank you for having me for nine years.”
Turner, in turn, acknowledged both men for their service, presenting them with plaques at the meeting.
“You did it for the children,” she said. “We didn’t always agree. But they were decent people who were always easy to work with. It’s all about what’s in your heart.”
“The dedication and passion you’ve brought to the board has been a boon,” Jain said.
Elaine Buckley, who is also a teacher, said she was proud of her husband’s service.
“You were giving voice to the constituency you represent. We had our differences. But you are a man of principles,” she said.
Jane Morales, president of the Herricks Teachers Association, thanked Grisafi and Buckley for their service on behalf of her fellow teachers.
“We’re all here working for our children and for the community,” she said.
Karen Hughes, president of Herricks Association of Administrators and Supervisors, recalled how Grisafi accepted a challenge from Herricks High School alumnus Rajeev Goyal to spend a day in the high school. She said Grisafi took a day off from work just to “shadow” Goyal when he was a student.
Nancy Feinstein and Brian Hassan, who ran uncontested for the seats Grisafi and Buckley vacated, were sworn in as board members at Monday night’s reorganization meeting.
In other developments:
• The board approved 2012-13 lease agreements for tenants at the Herricks Community Center, including the Long Island Advocacy Center for $24,693.50, office space for the American Theater Dance for $4,725 and the Young Indian Culture Group for $12,455.87.
The board also approved a five-year lease agreement with the American Theater Dance Workshop starting at $105,165 for 2012-13 and rising to $118,364 in the final year.
• The board approved a contract not to exceed $50,500 with the Reading and Writing Project Network for professional development services through Columbia University in reading and writing for grades K through 8.
• The board also approved a contract with Long Island Geese Control, budgeted for $26,000, to provide geese control services for the 2012-13 school year. Bierwirth said it was unlikely the school district would spend the full amount budgeted for the contract.
