At the Nov. 3 Board of Education meeting, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District swore in Cheryl Dender as a new trustee to the board. Cheryl replaces Sharon Dinkes, who resigned from the board earlier in the year.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Cheryl on board. Her record of service to the district prior to her appointment speaks for itself. I have no doubt she will exhibit similar dedicated service as a member of the Board of Education," said Board President Cathy Shapp.

Superintendent Dr. Martin Brooks added, "We are so pleased to have someone who has demonstrated such enthusiasm for the district. We are confident Cheryl will prove to be a highly valuable member of the board."

Dender is two time past president of the Parent Teacher Association at the Kindergarten Center. She also serves on the PTA Boards at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, at Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School, and at Stratford Road Elementary. On the High School PTA Board, she serves as vice president of membership. On the PTA Boards at Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School and at Stratford Road, Dender serves as historian. Dender also serves on the PTA Council, which is the district-wide PTA. On the council, she serves as vice president of finance. In addition, she is a trustee on the Booster Club, an organization for parents of athletes within the district.

"I feel extremely honored to have been presented with this opportunity," said Dender. "As a member of the Board of Education, I can work to enrich the learning experience of every child within the district. I am looking forward to working with this wonderful group of individuals, who continue to display their commitment to helping Plainview-Old Bethpage reach its fullest potential."