Distinguished Service Award

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The Council recognizes a Retired Life Member who has shown exemplary commitment to public education after retiring as a superintendent. The Distinguished Service award is our highest honor and is presented annually at our Fall Leadership Summit. Selections are made by our Distinguished Service Committee composed of Council officers and past presidents who are sitting superintendents. 

2021 Distinguished Service Award Presentation

The 2021 Distinguished Service award was presented to Dr. William H. Johnson, Retired Life Member, and former superintendent of Rockville Centre on Long Island. Dr. Johnson is nationally known as an innovative education expert closing the achievement gap for poor and minority students. 

This award was presented during the Opening Keynote on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the 2021 Fall Leadership Summit and was sponsored by Signature Partner New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal (NYSIR). Also, pictured (L to R) is NYSCOSS Executive Director Charles Dedrick; President Phyllis Harrington, Oceanside; NYSIR Executive Director Robert W. Lulley, Jr.; and Distinguished Service Member Lorna Lewis, Malverne.

2022 Distinguished Service Award Nomination  

If you are interested in nominating an individual for the 2022 award, send your nomination to Deidre Hungerford by June 1, 2022 for inclusion in the selection process. Candidates can be nominated with this nomination form or with an emailed letter. 

The Distinguished Service Committee will screen all nominations and will make their final selection of one candidate over the summer. 

Thank you to Signature Partner New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal (NYSIR) for sponsoring this award.

For details or to nominate an individual contact:

Deidre G. Hungerford
Associate Director for Business Development

E:  deidre@nyscoss.org
T:  518.694.4885
Twitter: @deehungerford28 #NYSCOSSWell


2022 Winter Institute:
  Creating A Culture of Innovation and Imagination

Albany Capital Center
Albany, NY 

March 6-8, 2022

Keynote Speaker Dan Cockerell, a 26-Year Disney Veteran, who was Vice President of Magic Kingdom,
will share his insights on exceptional leadership and how to build a strong culture for your school teams. 

Access Call for Proposal here. Deadline for submission is December 13, 2021. Registration and housing details opens December 8, 2021!