Bethpage Board of Education Appoints Terrence Clark as Superintendent of Schools
Longtime Bethpage educator to take the helm in July when Dr. Marsh retires

The Bethpage School District Administration and Board of Education are pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of Mr. Terrence Clark as Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Clark currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Technology, and will take on his new title and responsibilities upon Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Marsh’s retirement in June 2009.

Mr. Clark has been with the District for the past 23 years, starting in 1985 when he joined the staff of Bethpage High School as a Social Studies teacher. He has since held a number of titles including AP History teacher, Supervisor for Social Studies and Technology, and Director for Technology and Telecommunications. Mr. Clark was appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent five years ago to serve as Dr. Marsh’s chief curriculum administrator, during which time student achievement and exam results in Bethpage have soared. Additionally, he has continued to operate as the chief Webmaster for the District’s website –which he designed and that has been recognized by Newsday as a “Cool School” site.

“It is a tremendous honor to represent Bethpage as the Superintendent of Schools,” Mr. Clark said of his appointment. “Bethpage is a wonderful community with terrific students, supportive parents and an outstanding faculty and staff. In my 23 years here I never cease to be impressed by the students; they are scholars, athletes, artists, musicians and always seem to be involved in community service. It is a pleasure to be part of it all.  I am grateful to the Board of Education for the opportunity and to Dr. Marsh for leaving the District in such good academic and fiscal shape. Everyone in Bethpage wishes him well in his retirement.”

In addition to his success as a teacher and administrator, Mr. Clark has demonstrated his commitment to students and staff alike through the establishment of several initiatives that have grown to become some of the District’s greatest attributes. He created the Bethpage High School’s Student Civic Association, which has spearheaded countless fundraisers and community service activities to benefit Bethpage residents. He also came up with the idea for a Senior Citizen’s Prom, which provides local senior citizens with a precious night out of dinner, dancing, and fun, and further teaches students the value of helping others while respecting their elders.

Thanks to Mr. Clark’s efforts, the District also launched the Bethpage Academy of Technology; a school within the High School that provides students with the opportunity to earn an advanced certificate in cutting-edge technology, while putting them in touch with high-tech companies and professionals. This has resulted in internships and on-the-job learning in many cases, and has given students an enhanced perspective of the importance of technology in a global society.

            Last year Mr. Clark represented Bethpage at the National Consortium for School Networking conference in Washington D.C., where the topic of 21st Century Learning was discussed. This year, the 21st Century Scholars Program was launched in Bethpage, for which students develop and maintain online portfolios and accumulate credit through a collection of experiences and recorded submissions, encouraging them to explore topics of interest and develop skills in communication, information technology, health and fitness, financial and business literacy, and global and career awareness. The overall goal is for students to become good citizens, critical thinkers and problem solvers. Other programs Mr. Clark has been influential in helping to bring to Bethpage are Astronomy Night, Biotechnology, Read to Achieve, Summer Technology Camp, and Robotics.

Mr. Clark has fostered several partnerships with local and national corporations such as Cablevision, ClassLink Technologies, Cisco Systems, and Dell Computer that have benefited the District’s already well-developed technology program through professional tech support, educational expertise and training (of students and staff) and the donation of state-of-the-art computer equipment and services for instructional purposes. He also oversaw the creation of the District’s Ethernet Wide Area Network, and was instrumental in switching to a Voice over IP phone system, which has improved telecommunications and saved precious tax dollars. His work in the area of technology has resulted in Mr. Clark earning the National Cable Telecommunications Association’s “Leaders in Learning” award.

Additional awards Mr. Clark has been honored with include Administrator of the Year from the Nassau School Library System, Educator of the Year from the Bethpage Rotary Club, the Long Island Innovative Educator of the Year from Phi Delta Kappa, the John Masino Award for Dedication to Youth of Bethpage, and the Jenkins Memorial Life Membership Award from the Bethpage PTA. This year, he was the recipient of the prestigious Golden Apple Award from the March of Dimes, an honor bestowed upon educators who have made a difference and displayed a strong commitment to their field.

“We are thrilled that Terry Clark will be our next Superintendent of Schools,” stated Bethpage Board of Education President Mr. Michael Kelly. “His vision and knowledge of curriculum, technology and the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century have helped make Bethpage Schools one of the best in the nation and catapulted us to the forefront of technology. As a long-time, valued employee of the District, Terry has dedicated his career to providing students with the education needed to be effective citizens, workers, and leaders.”

Photo: Syntax Communication