Dr. Dolores Saxton has retired from the Farmingdale School District Board of Education after a three year tenure as a trustee and active member. In her three years on the board, Dr. Saxton said one of her major accomplishments while serving was bringing an awareness of educational programs to the table.

"With all the testing, the standard testing the schools have to take part of, I hope I was able to bring a better awareness of the programs," she said. "I am an educator and a senior citizen, so I think my involvement was somewhat unique."

Dr. Saxton added that since she has been an educator for many years, her perspectives on issues regarding education may be different from views of other members. In addition to serving as the dean of instruction at Nassau Community College, she also held the chair position of the nursing department and is currently working on writing nursing textbooks, which she said will occupy her time.

Aside from nursing, Dr. Saxton's passions include teddy bears, as she is an avid collector. She is currently working on a price guide for teddy bear collectors. She serves on the board of directors of the Gifts of Life program, supported by the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club, which raises funds necessary to sponsor children in need of medical treatment. Most recently, Dr. Saxton's efforts in heading a fund raiser for a young girl from El Salvador provided the girl with successful heart surgery.

"She came to Long Island with her mother so she could get the operation," Dr. Saxton said. "Now it looks like she's going to live ... you can't ask for anything better than that."

Dr. Saxton said that more than anything, she will miss her fellow board members and colleagues. "I will miss the friendships I've made," she said, "but I have a lot to keep me busy."