Amherst Schools
Ford presides over final board meeting
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Eleven years ago, the Amherst Central Board of Education hired Dennis Ford as superintendent. On June 19, Ford presided over his final board meeting.

Ford, who will retire on June 30, was one of several district personnel the board recognized. Other retiring administrators honored were Deputy Superintendent Paul Wietig, Smallwood Drive Elementary Principal Barbara Marotto, and High School Dean of Students Jack Koch.

"I always used to say on this night every year I was jealous of the people who retired from a place that they really love to work in," said Ford, who is completing his eleventh year as superintendent. "When I came here, I was asked by the Board of Education to at least make a three-year commitment. I certainly thought I'd be here longer than three years but what drew me (to stay longer) was the quality of education that Amherst has and a board whose first priority is what is right for kids. I'm happy I stayed and am retiring from Amherst."

Ford's final act as superintendent was for newly appointed superintendent Laura Chabe to take his seat. Chabe has been an administrator on assignment in the district since June 1.

Wietig called his 31 years in the district "a wonderful ride." Koch is retiring after 35 years. Marotto is retiring from Smallwood after 13 years but effective July 3 will stay on as a substitute administrator until a committee decides on her replacement.

Other retirees the board recognized are high school counselor Pamela Koch, social studies teacher David Ulrich, mathematics teacher Lawrence Kordasiewicz, and attendance office secretary Patricia Fox; middle school study skills/read to write teacher Marcia Lamb, English teacher Linda Miller, social worker Eileen Markzon, and school counselor Lisa Hillman; Smallwood Drive Elementary reading teacher Carol Eberhardt; Windermere Boulevard Elementary teacher aide Catherine Soeder; and Pupil Personnel Services secretary Caroline Barth, and Virginia Hunting, who worked in both the Food Service and Special Education departments and as a secretary at Smallwood.

It was also the last board meeting for Board Member David J. Dengler. Dengler has been a member of the board for 12 years, including board president from 2002-05.

"As an (Amherst) graduate, I thought it was a great place to (go to) school, but when I got on the board, it was an even better place than I thought," said Dengler, a funeral director at Dengler & Roberts Funeral Home. "It's been an honor and a privilege."

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com