Superintendent Douglas Receives Warm Send-Off

Gratitude and admiration were reigning sentiments at the start of Tuesday evening's Nyack School Board public meeting.

The meeting—which later dealt with Nyack High School's closed campus policy—began with the formal resignation of Dr. Valencia Douglas, who served as Nyack Schools' superintendent for five years.

Douglas will become the superintendent of the Pocantico Hills Central School District in Sleepy Hollow beginning Sept. 7, the Pocantico Hills School Board announced earlier in the summer.

"I was born to be an educator," Douglas said, addressing the School Board and audience members Tuesday. "I was born to teach. I was born to love children to be committed totally and completely to them."

"When I was given the honor of being superintendent of Nyack… our experience together was so warm," she added, also recalling that her first visit to the school occurred in negative-degree weather.

Douglas spoke about the common link between her vision and the Board's.

"They had a vision that this district would be in good shape financially, and that our facilities would look beautiful," she explained. "They had a vision that we would be the communicators for various, diverse constituencies in this district."

"When I came, that vision became mine also," Douglas said.

School Board Members took turns lauding Douglas and recalling their experiences with her.

"I've never known anyone who worked as hard as Dr. Douglas," said Board member Bryan Burrell. "I wish you much happiness and success."

"You're leaving us with a great staff," added vice-president of the Board Michael Mark. "We have to start this school year with furthering the education of every student in this school district."

Previous Board members who worked with Douglas also expressed thanks.

"I really want to let you know how much we appreciate what you did for the district," said Amy Applebaum, former School Board president.

Douglas' daughter was also in the audience—and noted that on several occasions, she saw her mother come home at midnight and leave the house at 7 a.m.

Recently, Douglas received the 2010 Educational Leader of Distinction Award from the Nyack branch of the NAACP. Members from the NAACP were also in attendance Tuesday night.

Douglas will be temporarily replaced by interim superintendent Jason Friedman for the 2010-2011 school year. The Nyack School Board is beginning its search for a permanent replacement.