By Nicole Falco
Dinkoff, 75, is a former president of the Nassau/Suffolk School Board Association, and was granted a lifetime membership on that board. A member of the New York State School Board Association, Dinkoff's term as vice president of that board ends Dec. 31.
He was virtually a shoo-in for president of NYSSBA, but in order to be a member of that board, a candidate must be a member of a local school board. Earlier this year, Dinkoff decided against running for a 12th term on the District 13 board.
"I was really shocked that he was retiring ... he was going to be president of the New York State School Board Association," said Anthony Iadevaio, a member of the District 24 and high school boards who served with Dinkoff on the high school board. "I was shocked because I thought it was a lifelong goal of his [to be president of NYSSBA]. I told him, 'I respect you for that, because you were a lock on the presidency..."
Dinkoff's decision to retire was not an easy one. He considered the fact that there was still so much he wanted to accomplish as a board member, but there would probably always be something. He thought about the tough financial climate in the state. He would miss the people, and the "intelligent conversations" about education. And he couldn't argue that the chance to be president of NYSSBA wasn't appealing. Still, he decided it was time to let someone new pick up where he would leave off, and for him to move on to other things.
"Probably before my last election I said to myself, 'This will probably be my last term,' but during that time I wavered," Dinkoff said. "It wasn't an immediate decision ... it was more of an evolution rather than an epiphany."
Dinkoff moved into District 13 in 1961. His three sons attended the Corona Avenue School (now called the James A. Dever School), Memorial Junior High School and Central High School.
With children in district schools and a vested interest in the community, Dinkoff took a chance and ran for -- and won -- election to District 13's board in 1970. A year later he was appointed to the high school board, where he served until 1997.
"We moved into the community, my children were going to school here, so I had the feeling to be a part of the community and serve it in some way and not just reside there," Dinkoff said. "Being involved in the schools seemed like a good enough contribution to make."
Dinkoff's contributions to education, both in Valley Stream and beyond, have been recognized over the years with numerous awards, including the Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service, which is the highest award a school board member can receive.
On May 12, there was a party for Dinkoff at the Chateau Briand in Westbury.
"He doesn't like to be in the limelight," said Arline Strumeyer, Dinkoff's wife of four years. "He said he didn't want [a party]. He doesn't say it for the sake of saying it, so I'll argue with him. He says these things because he does really feel it. That's probably one of the reasons I fell in love with him."
The party was hosted by District 13, and more than 150 attended to pay tribute to Dinkoff. Among those in attendance who made presentations were Dr. Thomas Lee, former superintendent of the district; Timothy Kremer, executive director of NYSSBA; Richard Herrmann, president of the Valley Stream Teachers Association; Karen Waslo, who represented the district's PTAs, and Town Supervisor Kate Murray.
Dinkoff was presented with a scrapbook, documenting the 26 years he spent on the high school board, by Arlene Hinkemeyer, community coordinator of the high school district, and a plaque will hang in Dever in Dinkoff's honor.
Despite the praise from the Valley Stream school community, parents, civic associations, local leaders and educators statewide, Dinkoff is humble. "People say being a school board member is a thankless job ... but I think if you're looking for thanks in a tangible way ... then you're not in it for the right reasons," he said. "The reward that you get is in the recognition of what you are doing."
In his 33 years in the community, Dinkoff has participated in the hiring of numerous principals at the elementary and high schools; four superintendents in District 13, including Dr. Elizabeth Lison, who will replace Peg Daugherty in July; and superintendents of the high school district. For many years he was the chief contract negotiator between districts and the teachers' association.
"He made board life smooth," said Bill Stris, president of the high school board and 21-year member of the District 13 board. "He was interested in all aspects of the school board. He put the time in and he was always available."
Iadevaio shared a similar recollection of working with Dinkoff. "He really was a dedicated board of education member," Iadevaio said. "He did his homework. He was a low-key person who was always looking for what was best for the children."
Dinkoff, who retired from a long career in sales in 1994, looks forward to using the extra time he'll have to travel more, read more and probably "find some other kind of volunteer work to do." He and Strumeyer, a Nassau BOCES board member and a former member of both the District 13 and high school boards, are already considering trips to Australia and Panama.
Friends for more than 30 years, the couple married after they were both widowed. Between them they have five children -- one of Dinkoff's sons died -- and eight grandchildren.
Strumeyer considers Dinkoff a wonderful partner both on the board and at home. "He was wonderful to work with because he has a wonderful sense of humor," Strumeyer said. "If things would get a little heated, he had the right kind of comment to make that would defuse a heated situation.
'Living with Harris is basically like living with your best friend."
