At the last New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board meeting to be presided over by retiring superintendent Joseph Rudaitis the board presented him with an unusually beautiful plaque.

Then, New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board President Louis Zacarese, representing the feelings of all the board members, made the following eloquent statement:

"As you know, tonight is Mr. Rudaitis' final board meeting as superintendent after 10 years of service to the children and the community of New Hyde Park and Garden City Park. As he will undoubtedly tell you, it has been nothing less than a 'thrill a minute.'

"I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Rudaitis for the past five years which included some of the most challenging times he has had during his tenure and he has always been up to the challenge.

"His hard work and dedication will not be easy to replace. His sincere concern for the children of the district, his staff and his colleagues came through clearly in everything he undertook. I have always admired his honesty, professionalism and public demeanor. His decisions were never self-motivated and never had an agenda other than to do his best for this district. As a result of his work here, he has made the district into one of the highest performing and most well respected districts in the country.

"His work has made this district a great place to educate children and a great place to live. For that, the entire community owes you its gratitude and will never forget the huge contribution you have made to our town."

"As Superintendent Rudaitis moves from this field of education to tackle the field of writing, which has been his love for many years, we wish him all the best."

Rudaitis was overwhelmed with the plaque and thanked the board and the public for the pleasure of serving a "community of learners" for the last 10 years.