LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Kenneth Mitchell upon the occasion
of his retirement as Superintendent of the South Orangetown 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 educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 Dr.
Kenneth Mitchell upon the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent
of the South Orangetown Central School District; he will officially
retire effective December 31, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Mitchell has served the students, parents, facul-
ty and staff of the South Orangetown community since July 14, 2008,
expertly leading the school district through the many challenges facing
public education with courage, vision, and commitment; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to public education, Kenneth Mitchell has
enjoyed an illustrious 37-year career in the field; he worked in the
Nyack Union Free School District from 1980 to 1991, went to districts in
Orange County, and then spent 12 years as a principal and assistant
superintendent in Chappaqua and Bedford; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Mitchell's distinguished tenure as Superintendent
of the South Orangetown Central School District is particularly notable
for his tremendous activity in public school advocacy, his leadership in
describing the impact of testing on students, and the development and
implementation of the school district's long term plans; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kenneth Mitchell's tenure is also marked by his boldness
in the face of difficulty, as he superbly demonstrated in 2009 when he
disarmed an angry parent who had confronted him with a gun in his office
at South Orangetown Middle School; for this daring act, Dr. Kenneth
Mitchell was hailed as a hero; and
WHEREAS, In 2014 Kenneth Mitchell is also completing his term as pres-
ident of the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents, an organ-
ization representing 76 school districts and four BOCES in Rockland,
Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties; and
WHEREAS, Both the South Orangetown Central School District and the
Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents have benefited greatly
from Dr. Kenneth Mitchell's skills in research, writing, and the abili-
ty to render complex issues comprehensible, as well as his well-known
capacity to see the big picture amid details; and
WHEREAS, After retirement, Dr. Kenneth Mitchell hopes to work with
inexperienced administrators to help them understand the complexities of
the school system; and
WHEREAS, Educators and administrators like Dr. Kenneth Mitchell
provide a tremendous service to the future of our State and Nation,
inspiring generations of young people in their educational journeys,
mentoring upcoming education leaders, and working to ensure the success
of the public education system in future years; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth Mitchell has clearly had an enduring impact on the
youth of the South Orangetown Central School District and the entire
region, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for many impres-
sive years of dedication to others; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice 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 Dr. Kenneth Mitchell upon the occasion of his retirement as Super-
intendent of the South Orangetown Central School District, and to wish
him continued success in his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Kenneth Mitchell.