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General News: COH Principal to Retire in June
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| Mary O'Mara, Ruth Chatfield and Ken Schmidt have been a team at COHES for 21 years. |
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| Principal Ken Schmidt had a role in this month's drama production at the school. |
March 24, 2010
Any person who has ever passed through the Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School, either as a student or a parent, has noticed that warm family feeling one gets from the staff. Principal Ken Schmidt, his secretary Mary O’Mara and fellow secretary Ruth Chatfield have worked together in the small office for 21 years and their cordial relations contribute greatly to the atmosphere of the school.
Now all that will change as principal Ken Schmidt had his resignation accepted by the school board on Monday night. He plans to leave at the end of this school year.
Why is Schmidt retiring at age 58? “There are different reasons all over the place– all positive factors,” he said. “I wanted to leave my position feeling good about the people I work with and will look back on that fondly.”
Retirement Comes After 36 Years in Education
Schmidt started his career in education 36 years ago as a teacher in Floral Park, New York. That’s where he met his wife, Margaret, a fellow teacher who came with him to Cornwall, where he worked for two years as an assistant principal at the Lee Road elementary school before coming to Cornwall-on-Hudson as principal.
Schmidt says that he has a trip to Hawaii planned for next fall but intends to largely stay in Cornwall-on-Hudson, spending time with family and working on his house. He says he will stay involved with the community and may even land another cameo role in a school drama production, where he has traditionally appeared on stage.
He’ll Miss the Kids
As he faces the prospect of leaving Cornwall-on-Hudson Elementary School after more than two decades, Schmidt says he will miss his colleagues and the families but most of all he will miss the kids. “Looking into the faces of the young kids, seeing the young kindergartners come and seeing them mature over the year,” Schmidt said. “That’s what makes leaving difficult.”
Mary O’Mara reflected about her boss’s decision. “The little gang of mine, Ruthie, me and Ken, have been here for 21 years,” Mary O’Mara said. “you go on and on, and then, all at once, it changes. It’s sad.”
Other Retirements in the District
Ken Schmidt is not the only school employee retiring at the end of the year. CCMS assistant principal Charles Theis, high school guidance director Robert Nichols, French teacher Denise Vallet Nichols, teaching assist Marie Elena Westbrook and library media specialist Jane Disare also had their retirements approved at Monday’s meeting. CCMS computer instructor Michael Lug also announced his retirement plans earlier this year.
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