Monticello's Board of Education honored retiring Superintendent Eileen Casey at its Aug. 24 meeting. From left, back: BOE members Robert Rosengard, Vivian Gambino Liff, BOE Vice President Robert Stewart, acting Superintendent Dr. Patrick Michel, BOE members Richard Feller and Eugene Nesin. From left, front: BOE member Tara Buckstad, Superintendent Eileen Casey, BOE President Alyce Van Etten, and Business Administrator Gladys Baxter.

The Monticello Central School District Board of Education presented retiring Superintendent Eileen P. Casey with a gold watch at its Aug. 24 meeting to commemorate her 13 years as superintendent and her lifelong educational service to the Monticello school district. The watch was a personal gift from the Board of Education, central administration, and staff members.

The Aug. 24 meeting was the last for Ms. Casey, who is retiring after 37 years of service to the district.

At the meeting, Ms. Casey was also surprised by many close friends, colleagues, and community members who attended the meeting to bid her farewell.

One of the guest speakers, former Assistant Superintendent Robert Falcone, thanked Casey for her “extraordinary efforts to the students of this district.” He also noted that “if it is true we learn everything we need to know in kindergarten, then we have truly been blessed to have had a kindergarten teacher as our leader.”

Retired District Superintendent of Orange Ulster BOCES Dr. William J. Bassett spoke about his long-term professional relationship with Casey.

Local attorney and long-time personal friend, Edward Cooke, stated, “Eileen has answered the call and she has made her place in history…she has given her whole life to our district, and we thank her for it.”

When board member Richard Feller complimented Casey’s high level of honesty and integrity and compared her successes to that of a CEO of a major corporation, the group of nearly 100 people honored Ms. Casey with a standing ovation.

In a brief statement, Ms. Casey noted that every decision or recommendation she ever made was motivated by “what was best for the children.”

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