In Memory of Tom Cardellichio
The following words were spoken by Janet Benton, President of the Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education, at the start of the Board's meeting on May 3, 2011:I'd like to take a moment before we begin tonight to remember Tom Cardellichio who passed away on April 12. Tom has served as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources since 1997. For the last 14 years, he's been a fixture at Board of Education meetings, sitting as inconspicuously as possible in a back row – but always ready to answer the unanticipated question or provide the clarification to a complicated issue. Tom came to Chappaqua in 1976 as principal of Bell Middle School. He worked in Chappaqua for 35 years.
It's hard to know where to begin in trying to describe Tom's contributions to this district. He has hired, trained, coached, and mentored so many teachers and administrators (and a few board of education members as well) in his time here. He had a unique ability to cut through the noise and get to the core of an issue. He could be the quietest guy in the room – but when he spoke, the words were wise and insightful, the message was clear, and everyone listened.
Tom served a close advisor to four superintendents in his 14 years in the central office. He provided not only institutional memory but also the collective conscience of the organization. His unassuming presence, his honesty, his unflappable sense of fairness, and his straightforward style made him the perfect person for every kind of special role – investigator of complaints, officer for compliance issues, solver of tricky problems, and mediator of delicate situations.
In all this, Tom worked with a wry sense of humor and a complete commitment to doing what's best for kids. He has trained us well – we all carry part of him with us as we continue our work in Chappaqua. But we will miss Tom very much.
