LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Arthur R. Spitzli upon the occasion of
his retirement after 37 years of distinguished service as an educator
with the Hempstead Public Schools

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this great
State; and
WHEREAS, The result of many individual efforts, the excellence and the
success of the Hempstead Public Schools is due in large part to the
efforts of its retiring educator, Arthur R. Spitzli; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Arthur R. Spitzli upon the occasion of his retirement after 37 years of
distinguished service as an educator with the Hempstead Public Schools;
this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 24, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, Born on October 28, 1950, in Astoria, Queens, Arthur R.
Spitzli moved to Springfield Gardens, Queens, where he attended kinder-
garten and P.S. 132; he then attended Junior High School 59, where he
experienced his fondest school memories; and
WHEREAS, After spending one year at Brooklyn Technical High School,
Arthur R. Spitzli and his family moved to South Floral Park where he
attended Sewanhaka High School, graduating in 1967; and
WHEREAS, After high school, Arthur R. Spitzli attended the State
University College at Buffalo, and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor's
degree in Education and a New York State certification in elementary and
special education; in 1975, he received a Masters degree from Queens
College; in 1979, he received his professional diploma in administration
and supervision; and
WHEREAS, Commencing his distinguished career with the Hempstead Public
Schools in March 1972 as a second and third grade team teacher at Wash-
ington School, Arthur R. Spitzli taught every grade at the school during
his tenure there; he honed his teaching skills, participated in plays
which featured student and teacher actors, and served as building repre-
sentative for the Hempstead Classroom Teachers' Association; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Arthur R. Spitzli was transferred to the Alverta B.
Gray Schultz Middle School where he served for four years; in 1986, he
taught at the Franklin School; thereafter, he applied for and received a
curriculum specialist position and returned to Washington School, which
had been renamed Rhodes School; and
WHEREAS, Arthur R. Spitzli became an assistant principal at the Jack-
son Main School in 1997; he was then appointed principal of the Marguer-
ite Golden Rhodes School, where he guided it through the reform process
associated with the America's Choice school design, transforming it into
a standards based school; for the past five years, he has been the prin-
cipal of Jackson Annex School in Hempstead; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his administrative career, Arthur R. Spitzli has
been actively involved with the Hempstead Schools Administrative Associ-
ation; he served as Vice President for several years, as well as Griev-
ance Chairperson and on the Negotiations Committee; and
WHEREAS, Married to Jeannette Melendez on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1980
at St. Paul's Church in East Harlem, Arthur R. Spitzli and his wife have
three children: daughter, Alexandra Martine, and sons, Adam Raul and Ian
Gregory; and
WHEREAS, Arthur R. Spitzli has continually demonstrated an impressive
dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for

the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered by the
Hempstead Public Schools for the benefit of its faculty and students, as
well as for the entire community; and
WHEREAS, In completing his many years of distinguished service with
the Hempstead Public Schools, Arthur R. Spitzli leaves behind more than
mere bricks and mortar; he leaves behind a legacy to the residents of
the Hempstead community and to future generations of its students; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Arthur R. Spitzli upon the occasion of his retirement after 37
years of distinguished service as an educator with the Hempstead Public
Schools, and for his significant contributions to education in New York
State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Arthur R. Spitzli.