Senate Resolution No. 805

BY: Senator MAYER

HONORING Dr. Edward W. Placke, Ed. D upon the
occasion of his retirement after six years of
distinguished service to Green Chimneys

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
residents of this noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Edward W. Placke upon the occasion of his retirement after six years of
distinguished service to Green Chimneys; and

WHEREAS, Since 2017, Edward W. Placke has rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to Green Chimneys, earning the
admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Truly an individual who strives for knowledge, Edward W.
Placke obtained a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education
from Marist College and a master's degree in Educational Psychology and
Statistics and an Ed. D. in Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY Albany;
after earning his doctoral degree at SUNY Albany, Dr. Edward W. Placke
began his career as a BOCES special education teacher in the Finger
Lakes region of New York; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Edward W. Placke followed his passion and went on to
teach college students with disabilities, as well as graduate students
studying special education; he also served as school principle at the
Center for the Disabled, and was a supervisor of special education for
Capital Region BOCES; and

WHEREAS, With 40 years of expertise in serving children with special
needs, Dr. Edward W. Placke spent five years as Assistant Commissioner
of the New York State Education Department, Vocational and Educational
Services for Individuals with Disabilities; as Director of Pupil
Services for Colonie School District for 13 years, he had oversight of
around 250 staff in special education, guidance, reading and math,
speech and language, occupational therapy and physical therapy,
psychology, and ESL, with additional responsibility for program
development and evaluation, curricula development, labor relations, and
budget development and monitoring; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Dr. Edward W. Placke served as Superintendent of
Schools for Greenburgh North Castle Union Free School District; under
his leadership, the district maintained the highest graduation rate for
alternative junior and high schools, with over 50 percent of district
graduates attending college, and the remainder of the student body
attending vocational training programs or obtaining supportive and
competitive employment; and

WHEREAS, His unbridled commitment to children with special needs
continued in Dr. Edward W. Placke's leadership of Green Chimneys, where
he focused to prepare students for adulthood; and


WHEREAS, Green Chimneys is a nonprofit education and human services
organization primarily serving children with special needs; the
organization is comprised of a therapeutic day school, residential
treatment center, and working farm; and

WHEREAS, Providing for over 250 students, Green Chimneys offers
individualized education, therapeutic support, and a unique nature-based
approach to address a wide range of social, emotional, and behavioral
challenges; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Edward W. Placke was elected to the Board of Directors
of the 853 School Coalition in 2017 and was later elected Vice President
in 2018; his remarkable leadership led to him being elected President in
2020; and

WHEREAS, As a result of Dr. Edward W. Placke's commendable
leadership of the 853 School Coalition, they have helped 853 schools
across New York continually educate the State's most vulnerable youth
through the pandemic and during the return to school; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as Executive Director of Green Chimneys,
Dr. Edward W. Placke served with loyalty, honor and distinction, and
was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of
human problems in his official acts; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Edward W. Placke, Ed. D upon the occasion of his retirement
after six years of distinguished service to Green Chimneys; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Edward W. Placke, Ed. D.