HCSD Approves Tenure For 32 Faculty Members

Thirty-two Harrison teachers and supervisors were awarded tenure Wednesday evening with a unanimous vote by the district's Board of Education.

Teachers and administrators representing all five of Harrison's schools received the honor this year. Tenure will become official in the fall, and a ceremony for those who have earned the honor is scheduled for September.

Harrison Superintendent Louis Wool noted the number of evaluations and conferences each had to go through during their probationary period, emphasizing it is a distinction the district takes very seriously.

"When I put forward this most profoundly important decision, I do so with a great deal of confidence and a great deal of excitement that the people sitting in front of me today, whether they are being observed or not, will continue to be dedicated to their own craft and to the children of this community," Wool said while addressing those soon to be tenured.

Among the honorees was Harrison High School Principal James Ruck, who is finishing his fifth year at Harrison. Ruck served as a superintendent in another district before coming out of retirement to take over at Harrison.

By receiving tenure the faculty members will be protected by New York State's tenure regulations. They cannot be fired without cause as long as they work in Harrison.

Those receiving tenure were:

• James Ruck - Harrison High School Principal
• Dennis Kortright - Supervisor of Elementary Mathematics and Science
• Jennifer Arenella - Purchase Elementary School Teacher
• Christiana Beniamino - HHS Social Studies Teacher
• Sandra Bodnar - LMK Special Education Teacher
• Lisa Cannistraci - LMK Guidance Counselor
• Trina Cassidy - Preston Elementary School Teacher
• Jennifer Clampet - Harrison Avenue Elementary School Teacher
• Erica Epstein - HHS Social Studies Teacher
• Michael Gino - HHS Math Teacher
• Rachel Goldin - Parsons Elementary School Teacher
• Kristy Gramma - HHS Guidance Counselor
• Kira Haftl - Parsons Elementary School Teacher
• Chetan Hertzig - HHS Social Studies Teacher
• Lara Hoover - HHS Math Teacher
• Sue Kuen Leong - HHS Guidance Counselor
• Nina Mansfield - HHS English Teacher
• Krystle Martino - LMK ESL Teacher
• Elizabeth McNamara - HHS Speech and Hearing Teacher
• Patricia O'Donnell - Parsons Elementary School Special Education Teacher
• Lisa O'Reily - LMK Special Education Teacher
• Alysa Paul - Preston Elementary School Special Education Teacher
• Joleen Rabuano - HHS Social Studies Teacher
• Gabriela Ranallo - HHS Math Teacher
• Norma Robles - LMK Guidance Counselor
• Jennifer Skrzypek - Preston Elementary School Teacher
• Martha Sullivan - HHS Special Education Teacher
• Ann Marie Valerioti - Preston Elementary School Teacher
• Rachel Voss - HHS English Teacher
• Nikole Konrad - HHS Special Education Teacher
• Wendy Packer-Munter - LMK School Psychologist
• Dana Giuliano - LMK Foreign Language Teacher