Distinguished Service Award

The 2026 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Martha Group, a Retired Life Member and former Superintendent of the Vernon Verona Sherrill (VVS) Central School District on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at the Fall Leadership Summit.

Martha served as NYSCOSS President during the 2022–2023 school year and represented New York State on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Executive Committee.

She has been a strong advocate for public education and student well-being across New York State. In 2018, the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers honored her with the Sister Rose Aquin Caimano Distinguished Administrator Award for recognizing the importance of foreign language study. As superintendent, she also prioritized college and career readiness, preparing students for success in higher education, the workplace, and civic life.

For NYSCOSS, Martha chaired the Conference Committee and served on the Curriculum & Instruction Committee, Federal Legislative Committee, Commissioner’s Advisory Committee, Executive Committee, House of Delegates, Nominating Committee, and Special Education Committee.

After her presidency, Martha continued serving NYSCOSS through the Distinguished Service Committee and the Past Presidents’ Committee, which funds the Past Presidents’ Scholarship. She also chaired the Snapshot of the Superintendency Committee, which published its most recent edition in 2025. In retirement, she continues to serve on the Past Presidents’ Committee and is co-director of LEAF, Inc.’s Early Career Superintendents’ Initiative, now in development.

 

Thanks to Partner New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal (NYSIR) for sponsoring this year’s award.

Pictured L-R: Executive Director Chuck Dedrick; Distinguished Service Chair Kevin McGowan, Brighton; Retired Life Member Martha Group; John Brady, Assistant Executive Director, NYSIR the award sponsor; and NYSCOSS President Ken Bossert, Great Neck. 

Photo courtesy of Joan Heffler Photography. 

2027 Distinguished Service Award
If you are interested in nominating an individual for the 2027 award, send your nomination letter by email to Deidre Hungerford by June 25, 2027 for inclusion in the selection process. The Distinguished Service Committee will screen all nominations and will make their final selection of one candidate over the summer.