LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Superintendent William S. Speck upon the
occasion of his retirement after 31 years of distinguished service to
Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES

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 custom 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
Superintendent William S. Speck upon the occasion of his retirement
after 31 years of distinguished service to Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES; he
will officially retire on November 1, 2015; and
WHEREAS, For over three decades, William S. Speck rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES; and
WHEREAS, William S. Speck is a graduate of Boston University with a
degree in Special Education; he taught for four years in Massachusetts
before moving with his wife to live in both Nebraska and Colorado; and
WHEREAS, As a young man, William S. Speck worked for several years on
the Burlington Northern Railroad as a brakeman and conductor, running
freight trains as far west as Wyoming and the Dakotas; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return to Upstate New York, William S. Speck earned
his masters degree in Special Education from Syracuse University, and
completed a certificate in advanced studies from SUNY Cortland; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, William S. Speck began his career with Cayuga-Onon-
daga BOCES as a teacher at the Summit School, a pilot program for alter-
native education to help troubled youth succeed in the transition to
middle school and beyond; and
WHEREAS, As a teacher, William S. Speck displayed a deep commitment to
providing instruction and emotional support, serving the young people of
his community with intelligence, compassion, and professionalism; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, William S. Speck was promoted to Director of Career
and Technical Education where he provided exemplary administrative lead-
ership in such areas as staff training, budget management, and develop-
ing data systems to measure student achievement; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his love of education and mentoring, as
well as his concern for children, William S. Speck was appointed Cayu-
ga-Onondaga BOCES District Superintendent of Schools in 2007; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure, Superintendent William S. Speck expertly
guided programs and services, lead local school improvements to close
achievement gaps, and created new capacity to recruit and prepare school
leaders, supporting a system which encourages high academic achievement
for all students; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man has been called upon to contribute his time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, William S. Speck is a member of the boards of directors of
such notable organizations as the United Way of Cayuga County Inc. and
the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce; in addition, he is a past member
of the Long Hill Volunteer Fire Department, and past Treasurer for the
Scipio, Venice, Long Hill Poplar Ridge Fire District; and

WHEREAS, Among his numerous honors and accolades received during his
distinguished career, William S. Speck was named the 1997 Outstanding
Administrator by the Cayuga-Onondaga School Boards Association; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his parents, Joseph and Mary
Speck, his wife, Karen Speck, and his two daughters and sons-in-law,
Alexis and Patrick Glennon, and Natalie and Theodore Kimbrough, as well
as his two grandchildren, Rosemary and Archer, all of whom feel privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which William S. Speck has displayed
throughout his life; 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 Superintendent William S. Speck upon the occasion of his retire-
ment after 31 years of distinguished service to Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to William S. Speck.