Fletcher leaves board with head held high

Maria Fletcher’s involvement with District 30 schools began from the moment her daughter entered kindergarten in the early 1980s. She attended the very first PTA meeting of the year at Forest Road School, and from there her desire to be a part of the educational system only grew stronger.

Monday night was Fletcher’s last meeting as a Board of Education trustee. She was presented with a plaque for her decade of service. Fletcher first joined the board in 2000 to fill a vacancy and went on to win two five-year terms. “I felt that it was a next logical step,” she said. “I had been very involved with the PTA in the schools.”

Fletcher said she wanted to be a part of the decision-making process in District 30. She wanted to continue the tradition of putting children first and also wanted to look out for the taxpayers. “It was important to have it in the back of your mind how much the community can afford for education,” she said.

During her time on the board, the district has completed major additions at two elementary schools. A new library and additional classrooms were added at both Shaw Avenue and Forest Road schools. The Washington Avenue building was converted from administrative offices to a kindergarten center to alleviate overcrowding at Clear Stream Avenue School.

Along the way, Fletcher said, the board always made sure its buildings were well-maintained. Rescue windows and roofs were replaced, along with other repairs, all with reserve money so taxpayers wouldn’t be hit with an extra burden, she explained.

There have also been numerous curriculum enhancements, Fletcher noted. A new math program was adopted last year, the English Language Arts program has been enhanced and the district is on the verge of bringing in a new science program. A lot of effort and money has also been spent to improve technology in District 30, Fletcher explained, to meet the needs of modern learners.

Looking back at the building and curriculum enhancements, Fletcher said it was well worth the effort. “I’m really proud we were able to all that in 10 years time,” she said.

Perhaps the board’s greatest accomplishment, she said, was hiring “visionary” Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas two years ago to replace longtime leader Lawrence McGoldrick. Fletcher was president of the board during the search, which spanned a year and required bringing in an interim superintendent, as well as hiring a search firm. Because the last search had been 16 years earlier, Fletcher said it was “uncharted waters” for board members.

“That’s a very intensive project,” she said of the superintendent search, “and in my opinion gave us outstanding results. Dr. Kanas is the right person for District 30.”

Kanas also has high praise for Fletcher. “The experience and the insight that she’s brought to the board and the decision-making process is something we’ve truly valued,” Kanas said. “I’m going to miss her incredibly.”

The superintendent described Fletcher as a woman of integrity, someone who was committed to her role on the board and devoted to the community and its children. “It’s really inspiring,” Kanas said.

Fletcher will still be working full-time. She is an associate professor of nursing at St. Joseph’s College and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. Fletcher also coordinates the graduate program.

Her three children attended Forest Road and South High School.

Fletcher said the PTA has been, and remains, her passion. She spent three years as a PTA co-president at Forest and had another two years of leadership at South. “This is the way for parents to be involved,” she said of the PTA. “Parent involvement is not only necessary, it’s essential if we’re going to have sound educational programs.”

Fletcher’s work with the PTA has earned her honorary life memberships from the national and New York state PTAs, as well as a distinguished service award at the state level. This November, she will be on the ballot to be the state PTA president.

Her decade of board service includes six years on the Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education. She spent one year each as president and vice president there.

Fletcher has served with numerous other community members on the District 30 and high school boards. She said she has learned something from each of her colleagues whether they have been on the board 20 years or one. “I’ve always enjoyed working with other people who are concerned about education,” she said, “and who gave so much time and energy to that effort.”