Roberts honored for 36 years of service to Port Jervis schools

Mid-Hudson School Study Council Award for Excellence in Administration 

Retired administrator Richard Roberts received the 2006 Mid-Hudson School Study Council Award for Excellence in Administration. Roberts, who currently serves on the Board of Education, devoted his entire professional career to making a difference in the lives of Port Jervis students.
 

The award, which was presented Oct. 12 at the Mid-Hudson School Study Council awards dinner in New Windsor, honored Roberts for the indelible mark he has left on our schools. For the past quarter of a century, Roberts served the district - first as a teacher at both Port Jervis High School and Middle School, then as the High School dean of students, summer school principal, and Middle School principal. In 2003, he was appointed assistant superintendent for Instruction - a position he held until his "retirement" in October 2005.
 

Roberts' retirement from public service did not last long. When the district needed him, he came back for close to seven months to serve as an interim assistant superintendent.
 

While he is now officially retired, Roberts commitment to the district continues. In May 2006, the former Port Jervis City councilman, mayor, and Orange County legislator was elected to serve on the Board of Education.
    

 "Dick's priority has always been the schools and his community," says Superintendent John Xanthis.  "He is truly devoted to the School District, and his knowledge of the inner workings of the district, the people and the students, is unparalleled. Not only did he know almost every student in his middle school, he probably knew their parents, and most likely their grandparents as well."
 

Xanthis noted, "His devotion to young people, his vision, leadership and enduring belief that education is the answer, combine to make Dick Roberts the essence of what the Excellence in School Administration Award is meant to epitomize."