James Baldwin, Paul Puccio and Robert Gibson
Paul Puccio, a member of the Schodack, Questar III BOCES and Tech Valley High School boards, is the 2010 winner of the New York State School Boards Association’s (NYSSBA) top award for distinguished service.
Puccio, who has served as a school board member for 30 years, received the Everett R. Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service from NYSSBA President Florence Johnson Thursday, Oct. 21, at NYSSBA’s Annual Convention in New York City.
“One thing that has been made clear by his colleagues on all three boards is Paul’s consistent leadership,” said Johnson. “His leadership and work on behalf of children is truly outstanding. He is a role model for other board members and a consummate advocate for the value of public education.”
First elected in 1980, Puccio has served on the Schodack board for 30 years. He spent 10 years as president of the school board and now serves on the district’s negotiations and communications committees. He has been a member of the Questar III BOCES board for 11 years and currently chairs the board’s audit committee.
Puccio is also the first-ever president of Tech Valley High School, a nationally-recognized school that emphasizes teaching 21st century skills in a project-based learning environment.
In addition to his school board service, Puccio has been active in the Castleton and Schodack communities and currently serves on the Town of Schodack Planning Board.
The NYSSBA Distinguished Service Award is presented each year to one current or former school board member among the thousands in the state who has done the most for public education and the children of his or her community. It is the highest tribute NYSSBA bestows upon a school board member.
