Renee Gargano Honored at Retirement Gathering

Renee Gargano’s retirement blast resembled a “who’s who in education!” More than 300 guests crowded into the main ballroom at Colonial Terrace in Cortlandt Manor last Thursday evening to recognize a woman who was remembered as an “institution within an institution.”

Gargano will retire later this month as Deputy Superintendent of the Putnam- Northern Westchester BOCES—a place she has called home since 1977, when she began her career at the Yorktown campus as a six-month temporary employee.

BOCES School Board President Anita Feldman, of Mahopac, said the entire “BOCES family has been thrilled that Renee decided to extend that appointment for decades by becoming involved in every aspect of BOCES’ multi-faceted programs that led her to the appointment as BOCES Deputy Superintendent 14 years ago.”

BOCES Assistant Superintendent Thomas Higgins, a former superintendent of schools in Carmel, called Gargano a “force who helped teachers grow professionally. During her years at BOCES Renee created remarkable opportunities for educators, both in the classroom as well as the administrative field, to be more confident in their skills and position.”

The dinner was attended by educators from across the region both past and present. Former BOCES Superintendents John Battles and Richard Green joined Carmel’s former superintendent Gary Loewenberg and recently retired Mahopac superintendent Robert Reidy at the affair.

BOCES Superintendent James Langlois recalled Gargano as one of “America’s shining stars in the field of education. She has led the way with new ideas, initiatives, programs, and services. Renee conceived and led the development of the very successful On-Line Application System for Educators that has opened up hiring opportunities for both applicants and school districts throughout New York State.”

Gargano was humbled, crediting her successes to the “incredible mentors who saw skills and talents in me that I didn’t see myself. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time here at BOCES by working with highly talented men and women with great potential, dedication, and drive— people who wanted to make a difference and were passionate in their work ethic.”

Gargano has no plans to sit on her laurels, but will be developing educational leadership programs and human resources services for schools throughout the state, as well as overseeing a variety of collaborative programs BOCES has launched with area colleges and universities that strengthen the quality of school administrators and teachers.