Senate Resolution No. 4291

BY: Senator HANNON

COMMENDING Terrence Clark upon the occasion of his
retirement after 32 years of dedicated service to
the Bethpage Central School District

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational 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 instrumental 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
commend Terrence Clark upon the occasion of his retirement after 32
years of distinguished service to the Bethpage Central School District;
he will officially retire in June of 2018; and

WHEREAS, Terrence Clark began his distinguished 32-year career with
Bethpage School District as a social studies teacher at Bethpage High
School in 1986; through the last three decades, he was promoted to
various administrative positions such as Supervisor of Social Studies
and Technology, Director of Technology, and Assistant Superintendent for
Instruction and Technology for the 2,800-plus student system; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Terrence Clark accomplished many
goals; he formed the Student Civic Association, established the first
Senior Citizen Prom in 1990, and introduced some of the major technology
milestones to the district; and

WHEREAS, Terrence Clark also created the plan to adopt full day
kindergarten, oversaw the expansion of Advanced Placement course
offerings, and diligently worked with teachers and administrators in
grades Kindergarten through 12 to raise SAT scores; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this dedicated educator created the popular
21st Century Scholars Program which affords students unique educational
experiences in all five schools, and planned new STEM Labs for each of
the elementary schools; he was also instrumental in expanding the
special education program; and

WHEREAS, Under his luminous leadership, the Bethpage Central School
District was honored with a National Blue Ribbon School Award, and
received a call from the New York State Education Department inquiring
how the students were able to do so well by all measurements; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the
Bethpage Central School District, Terrence Clark was the recipient of
numerous awards and accolades including the Leaders in Learning Award,
the Nassau BOCES Partner in Education Award, the Administrator of the
Year Award by the Nassau Library System, the Innovative Educator of the

Year Award by Phi Delta Kappa, the Innovative Administrator of the Year
Award by InterCounty Teachers' Center, the PTA Distinguished Service
Award, and the Kiwanis Everyday Hero Award, as well as the John Masino
Award by the Bethpage American Legion; and

WHEREAS, In his much deserved retirement, Terrence Clark plans to
remain active in the Bethpage community by continuing his volunteer work
with many local civic organizations and the Bethpage Educational
Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Terrence Clark will be sorely missed by the students,
teachers and staff members; he treated each and every single person with
respect, while continuing to raise the bar on academics; and

WHEREAS, The driving force behind Terrence Clark's commitment to
public education is his firm belief that all children have the potential
to do great things if given the opportunity; he prides himself on
creating an educational environment where students come first and
expectations are high; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Terrence Clark upon the occasion of his retirement after 32
years of dedicated service to the Bethpage Central School District, and
to wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Terrence Clark.