For Marie Goldstein, vice president of Kings Park’s Board of Education, the news of Bill Motherway’s decision to not seek re-election has left her a bit sad.
Motherway, who is married, has served six years on the board and has seen four of his children graduate in the district, told Patch that it’s time to move on.
“Six years is a long time,” said Motherway, who is an attorney and Executive Vice President of Tishman Realty and Construction in Manhattan. “My family and career require substantially more of my time and I owe it to my family to give them that time.”
“Bill will be greatly missed as a board member,” said Goldstein. “He is one of the finest men that I know and that I have ever worked with. He was always fair and firm and he is a brilliant business man and someone I can count on as a partner,” she said.
Trustee Tom Locascio called Motherway’s efforts tireless saying that they have helped to shape the Kings Park school system.
“As board president, he has guided our district in a positive, productive manner and we are a better district and community because of him,” said Locascio.
Motherway's tenure has been during a time that has proved to be increasingly difficult for New York schools. Funding cuts and tax caps have strained districts financially, forcing administrators to make difficult choices including the elimination of programs, excising teachers and in some districts, closing schools.
budget that has come in below the 2.9 percent tax cap set by the state and if passed by voters on May 15, will result in a 2.4 percent tax levy.
"Bill was not a crowd pleaser," said Goldstein. "He was elected to do a job and that is what he did, always keeping the best interest of our students first. It was about the students and the job he was elected to do."
Motherway, said he "enjoyed every minute of his time as a board member" is comfortable with what the board has acheived and its future. “I'm thrilled with the accomplishments of the board over the last six years," said Motherway. "
"I feel confident that I am leaving a very strong board, a tremendously talented and dedicated superintendent, and a great group of administrators, teachers and staff. The ship is moving in the right direction and has great leadership to keep it on course," said Motherway.
Liz Barrett, board trustee said she is sorry to see Motherway go.
"I think he was a great president and a great asset to the board. I am sorry to see him go and he will be missed. I enjoyed working with him over the last two years," she said.
Goldstein, who said she will not seek re-election after her term ends in June of 2014, said that she enjoyed working with Motherway, adding, “there was never any nonsense to sift through with him.”
“Working with Bill was always refreshing, because no matter what the issue, or decision at hand it started with the best interest of our students and ended with the best interest of our students and that is what it is all about and he never lost sight of that, not ever,” she said.
