LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Brenda Keith upon the occasion of her
retirement after 35 years of dedicated service to the Naples Central
School District on June 30, 2009

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding
educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instru-
mental in developing character and academic excellence in the young
people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Brenda Keith upon the occasion of her retirement after 35 years of dedi-
cated service to the Naples Central School District on June 30, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, For 35 years, Brenda Keith has diligently served literally
tens of thousands of students, parents, teachers, staff and community
members, but mere years of service do not begin to measure her extraor-
dinary contributions to the Naples Central School District; and
WHEREAS, Brenda Keith began working for the Naples Central School
District in 1974, serving first as a part-time internal claims auditor,
then the district tax collector and becoming the high school secretary
in 1981; and
WHEREAS, While working full-time and raising her children; Brenda
Keith returned to school and earned her Associate's degree in Business
Administration from Finger Lakes Community College in 1992, her Bach-
elor's of Science degree in Organizational Management from Roberts
Wesleyan College in 1993, and her Master's of Science degree in Educa-
tion from the State University of New York at Brockport in 1995; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Brenda Keith was certified as a School Business
Administrator in 1996, and as School District Administrator in 2000; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Brenda Keith became the School Business Administra-
tor for Naples, moving to Assistant Supervisor for Business and Oper-
ations in 2001, then Superintendent in 2004; she officially resigned
last year, agreeing to stay on as Deputy Superintendent while the
District sought a new leader; and
WHEREAS, Under the esteemed leadership of Brenda Keith, the Naples
Central School District has been recognized numerous times as a high
performing school district; and
WHEREAS, The elementary school received national recognition in 2005,
as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School, one of 295 selected by the
United States Department of Education; it was also selected by SUNY
Albany as one of the 15 Best Practices Schools in New York State in
2006; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, the Junior/Senior High School received national
recognition and a Silver Award as one of America's Best High Schools,
through an evaluation of more then 18,000 schools sponsored by U.S. NEWS
AND WORLD REPORT; and
WHEREAS, Educators like Brenda Keith provide a tremendous service to
the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of young
people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in their
future years; and
WHEREAS, Despite her busy professional life, Brenda Keith has been
called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless civic and
charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, Last year, Brenda Keith joined the Board of the Canandaigua
Lake Watershed Alliance; she is also a member of the Naples Rotary Club,
having served as both its Vice President and President; additionally,
she is a board member for the Naples Community Park Foundation, serving
as its President since 2007; and
WHEREAS, Brenda Keith has clearly had an enduring impact on the youth
of the Naples Central School District, as well as on the community-at-
large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for her impres-
sive dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
public education by providing their skills and talents to our schools;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Brenda Keith upon the occasion of her retirement after 35 years of
dedicated service in education, and for her significant contributions to
education in New York State; and to wish her continued success in all of
her future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Brenda Keith.