LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Susan A. Agruso, Ph.D., upon the occa-
sion of her retirement as Superintendent of the Kings Park Central
School District after 40 distinguished years in education

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
Susan A. Agruso, Ph.D., upon the occasion of her retirement as Super-
intendent of the Kings Park Central School District after 40 distin-
guished years in education; she will officially step down from her posi-
tion on July 31, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Susan A. Agruso began her illustrious tenure as Superinten-
dent of the Kings Park Central School District in July 2008; this dedi-
cated educator's many accomplishments in this role include improving
student performance on state assessments and Advanced Placement tests
through focus on mastery; implementing a special education inclusion
program in primary schools and high school as well as full day kinder-
garten; partnering with a grass roots organization, Kings Park in the
kNOw, to bring attention to drug and alcohol problems and focus on
prevention; and redesigning the district's curriculum to incorporate the
Common Core Standards, align to state standards, and spiral across the
grades; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the Kings Park Central School District,
Susan A. Agruso was Superintendent of Schools for the South Country
Central School District, where, in a two-year time period, she improved
state scores in Reading in four grades and in Mathematics in five
grades; implemented restructuring plans in the middle school and high
school to improve performance and to ensure that high performing
students receive advanced courses while also meeting the needs of low
performing students; and recruited an outstanding team of central office
administrators; and
WHEREAS, Susan A. Agruso has brought to her leadership role her strong
background in assessment; she was the South Carolina, State Department
of Education's Director of the Office of Authentic Assessment from May
1994 to January 1995, as well as Director of the Office of Assessment
from January 1995 to December 1999; in addition, she worked in Char-
lotte, North Carolina's Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as Assistant
Superintendent for Instructional Accountability, and then Assistant
Superintendent for Assessment, Planning, and Technical Support until
June 2006; and
WHEREAS, Susan A. Agruso began her career in education in the State of
New York; she was a Physics and Earth Science Teacher at East Islip High
School, Islip Terrace, New York from September 1974 to August 1985, and
then she took in the challenge of making a difference at a statewide
level, serving the New York State Education Department as Associate in
Science in the Bureau of Science Education for eight years, and then as
Coordinator of Curriculum and Assessment Services from January 1993 to
May 1994; and
WHEREAS, She received her education training in New York State as
well, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics from New York Institute

of Technology, Old Westbury, in 1973, a Master of Arts in Education from
Stony Brook University, SUNY, in 1976, and a Ph.D. in Educational
Psychology from SUNY, University at Albany, in 1994; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, this talented educator was the recipient of a New
York State-level Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching,
and the New York State Nominee to the Teacher in Space Program; in addi-
tion, she has received the Science Teachers Association of New York
State Service Award, the New York State Section/American Association of
Physics Teachers Service Award, and the CMS Quality Excellence Award;
and
WHEREAS, Educators like Susan A. Agruso provide a tremendous service
to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of young
people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in their
future years; and
WHEREAS, Susan A. Agruso has clearly had an enduring impact on the
youth of the Kings Park Central School District, as well as on the
community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for
her impressive dedication to others; 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 Susan A. Agruso, Ph. D., upon the occasion of her retirement as
Superintendent of the Kings Park Central School District after 40 years
of dedicated service in education, and for her significant contributions
to education in New York State; and to wish her continued success in all
of her future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Susan A. Agruso, Ph.D.