Senate Resolution No. 2085

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING Superintendent William Dowsland for 30
years of service in education

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge outstanding individuals within our midst who
have made significant contributions to the communities of this State and
Nation; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Superintendent William Dowsland for 30 years of service in education; he
will officially retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year; and

WHEREAS, William Dowsland has served the Hamilton, New York,
community for most of his career, initially joining the school district
as a substitute teacher in 1998 and becoming Superintendent of Schools
in 2019; through the years, he came to view his Hamilton colleagues as
his extended family; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining Hamilton, William Dowsland worked for a
year as a teacher at Madison-Oneida BOCES and spent six years in
professional hockey, working for the New Jersey Devils Organization's
American Hockey League affiliate; and

WHEREAS, William Dowsland spent 13 years as a physical education and
health teacher; later, he held the titles of Director of Physical
Education in the Health and Athletics Department as well as Assistant
Principal and Principal of the Junior-Senior High School; during that
time, he coached the softball team, earning honors of Coach of the Year
from New York State, the Utica Observer-Dispatch, and the Syracuse
Post-Standard; and

WHEREAS, William Dowsland's tenure with Hamilton Central School
District boasts many achievements: the District's budget approved by
voters every year; two successful capital projects completed;
implementation of social-emotional learning initiatives; commencement of
a student board member program prior to the recent State mandate; and
expansion of academic offerings in Advanced Placement, dual credit,
foreign language, the arts, and CTE programs; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Hamilton Central School District received
State and National recognitions for academics, extracurricular
activities, music, and the honor of being recognized as one of America's
Healthiest Schools, a National initiative which honors schools that
support the whole child's health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, William Dowsland and his wife have three sons, all Hamilton
Central School graduates, and five grandchildren, all with whom he plans
to enjoy more time during his retirement; and

WHEREAS, The many contributions, of which William Dowsland has
played a vital role, are a testament to his legacy which will inspire
future students of Hamilton Central School District for generations to
come; throughout the three decades of tireless service to others, he led

with integrity, care, and a genuine commitment to the students, staff,
and Hamilton community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated individuals who have shown a long and sustained commitment to
excellence unquestionably have earned the recognition and applause of
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Superintendent William Dowsland upon the occasion of his
retirement and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to William Dowsland.