Hewlett-Woodmere Trustee Daniella Simon steps down

A Hewlett-Woodmere School District alumna and Board of Education trustee is stepping down from the board as she and her family embark on a move out of New York. After four years on the board, Trustee Daniella Simon submitted her resignation. Her family is moving to Florida in the new year. 

Simon is the second board member to step down this year as former Trustee Paul Critti recently moved out of the district. Simon said she is proud of the job she and her colleagues have done in her time on the board.

“I feel that in my time as a board member, the board members and myself have done a great job of representing all the children within the school district,” Simon said. “Also, the way the board has banded together and handled the pandemic has made me proud to be a board member.”

A trustee since 2016, Simon lived in Hewlett and is a graduate of Hewlett High School. She previously served as the president of the PTA at Franklin Early Childhood Center and Central Council PTA president. “I was born and raised here so this move is bittersweet for me,” she said. “Being on the board has been a great way to cap off my time at Hewlett-Woodmere.”

District spokeswoman Barbara Giese said that the search process to fill Critti and Simon’s positions will continue to be discussed among district officials.

Board Vice President Cheryl May said that Simon’s positive contributions to the district will be missed. “I’ve known her from before the time she joined the board as she worked her way up through the PTA and she will be missed,” May said. “I wish her the best of luck in everything. There’s going to be big shoes to fill for whoever ends up replacing her on the board.”
Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino Jr. and fellow board members presented Simon with a gift at the Dec. 9 work meeting.

“Mrs. Simon has dedicated years to the students and community of Hewlett-Woodmere, first as a PTA and Central Council president and then as a valued board member,” Marino said in a statement. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside her. She will be missed.”

Simon’s last board meeting was on Dec. 16. “We are leaving behind a community we adore and we will forever cherish the memories we have made here,” she said. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve this amazing community. I love this district and have loved every minute of sitting on the board.”