Senate Resolution No. 1982

BY: Senator THOMAS

CONGRATULATING Dr. Deborah L. Wortham upon the
occasion of receiving the Superintendent Award at
the National Conference of the American Association
of School Administrators

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 the
great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Dr. Deborah L. Wortham upon the occasion of receiving the
Superintendent Award at the National Conference of the American
Association of School Administrators (AASA) which was held February
15-17, 2024, in San Diego, California; and

WHEREAS, The AASA School Superintendent's Association is comprised
of more than 13,000 educational leaders across the globe; its mission is
to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated
to equitable access to the highest quality public education for all
students; and

WHEREAS, The National Conference on Education is regarded as the
most comprehensive professional learning and networking event for school
superintendents and administrators; about 3,000 superintendents come
together to form connections, share ideas, and hear from education
thought leaders on improving student outcomes and district performance;
and

WHEREAS, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham was awarded the highest honor a
superintendent can receive at the 2024 Women in School Leadership
Awards, hosted by the American Association of School Administrators
(AASA) School Superintendent's Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham, superintendent of the Roosevelt
Union Free School District in Long Island, New York, was awarded based
on her creativity in successfully meeting the needs of her Roosevelt
students, strength in both personal and organizational communication,
consistent improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, the
professional development opportunities she affords to her staff, and her
active participation in the Roosevelt community; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham began her second tenure
with the Roosevelt School District and worked with the Board of
Education and a team of about 100 staff, students, and community members
to create a five-year strategic plan to improve students' performance;
and

WHEREAS, These efforts proved a great success with Roosevelt Middle
School and Roosevelt High School being removed from the State's
needs-improvement list- a direct result of the superintendent's able

leadership, ultimately ranking all five Roosevelt schools in good
standing; and

WHEREAS, State assessment performance increased over the past two
years, and graduation rates rose from 70 percent in 2018-2019 to 86
percent in 2021-2022; furthermore, the 2023 graduating class earned $4.8
million in scholarships, a 23 percent increase from the total earned by
the 2022 graduating class, all of which have justly earned Dr. Deborah
L. Wortham this esteemed award and distinction; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham has clearly had an enduring impact
on the youth of the Roosevelt Union Free School District, as well as on
the community and State at large, and accordingly merits recognition and
applause for her impressive dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Dr. Deborah L. Wortham upon the occasion of receiving the
Superintendent Award at the National Conference of the American
Association of School Administrators; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Deborah L. Wortham.