Honor Superintendent Katulak Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 2446 BY: Senator PHILLIPS CONGRATULATING Superintendent Robert W. Katulak upon the occasion of his retirement after 41 distinguished years as an educator WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Superintendent Robert W. Katulak upon the occasion of his retirement after 41 distinguished years as an educator; and WHEREAS, In 1976, Robert W. Katulak started his distinguished career in education as a Social Studies and English Language Arts Teacher in a Catholic School on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, while earning his master's degree at Hunter College; and WHEREAS, During this time, Robert W. Katulak's principal sponsored him for a special program in Administrative Leadership at Fordham College where he earned his School Administrator and Supervisor Certificate; shortly thereafter, he took a job as a Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic School Principal in Flatbush, Brooklyn; he also served as the first lay administrator in the school; and WHEREAS, After seven years, Robert W. Katulak and his family moved to Middletown, New York, where he held the title of Principal of Memorial Elementary School; and WHEREAS, Robert W. Katulak then established the first Magnet School for the city district focusing on the performing arts, science and technology; and WHEREAS, Ten years later, Robert W. Katulak became the Director of Elementary Education in the North Rockland School district, a position he held for four years; after the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction retired, he assumed the position, where he remained for seven more years; and WHEREAS, In July of 2008, Robert W. Katulak began serving as the Superintendent of the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District, the position from which he will officially retire on June 30, 2017; and WHEREAS, In this capacity, Robert W. Katulak was instrumental in leading the District to Award Winning Status, garnering many grants and working with teachers, administrators and the Board to develop visionary long range plans, to guide the district into the 21st Century; and WHEREAS, Educators like Robert W. Katulak provide a tremendous service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of young people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in their future years; and WHEREAS, Robert W. Katulak has clearly had an enduring impact on the youth of the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District, as well as on the community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for his impressive dedication to others; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of public education by providing their skills and talents to our schools; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Superintendent Robert W. Katulak upon the occasion of his retirement after 41 years of dedicated service in education, and for his significant contributions to education in New York State; and to wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Superintendent Robert W. Katulak.