Giambra, Qazi honored for service to board
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Two School Board members known for always giving, took a moment to say goodbye.

Williamsville Board of Education trustees Carolyn Giambra and Dr. Khalid Qazi, with 11 years of combined experience, served at their final board meeting on June 12.

Qazi was honored by the board for "always doing what was right, even when it wasn't popular."

He started his service in 1992 when he was appointed as a community member to a committee to review the district's practice on cultural diversity.

When he joined the board in 2000, he said he did so because he wanted to give back to the district.

Qazi took a few minutes to highlight the success of Williamsville students' academics and achievements on all levels.

"I am truly indebted to my fellow board members ... you treated me not only as a board members but as a true friend," he said. "I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with."

He also thanked the district residents for their support of him and the board.

Giambra served on the board since 2004 but has been involved in the district for more than 35 years. She was a library media specialist at Dodge Elementary and an instructional specialist in the administration offices. She also filled in as assistant principal at North High School for a few months in 1994.

Board members thanked her for volunteering her knowledge as an experienced educator.

Two of her many achievements were the development of the current nutrition policy and the creation of keyboarding courses at the fifth-grade level.

She has a grandson who will be going through the district, and Giambra joked that one day she will tell him that grandma pushed for the cafeterias to meet the national guidelines so there would be fewer victims of obesity.

"Thank you from the bottom of our heart," she said to the board. "I am proud to be part of Williamsville for the past 25 years, and I look forward to playing a part in the future."

Giambra made a donation to the Williamsville Education Foundation as part of her retirement from the board.