Farewell to Dr. Young
Submitted by Rachel Turetsky
BCS Communications Department
On Friday January 29, Superintendent Dr. Stephen Young took a final walk through the hallways of the Berlin Middle/High School. To his surprise he was met by the BMHS students and staff sending him off with well wishes and gratitude for his dedication to the Berlin Central School District.
It was an emotional goodbye for retiring Superintendent Dr. Young who spent almost ten years at BCSD, approximately a quarter of his career.
“My fondest memories are of the people I’ve met, the energetic and excited students, and the dedicated staff I’ve worked with over the years,” reflected Dr. Young in an email to the BCSD staff that same day.
Dr. Young retires from the district with multiple capital project successes ranging from building upgrades, additional classrooms and science labs that include an Aquatics lab named in his honor, an athletic complex and technology upgrades.
In his farewell to the staff, Dr. Young said, “BCSD is the most caring, compassionate, beautiful and energetic district in which I have worked.”
During his time at BCSD, Dr. Young has shared “The Starfish Story” each year with staff and administrators. He told this story in order to emphasize the difference they each can make for an individual student. Dr. Young’s gift of a starfish pin to staff members over the years was a memento and a reminder to keep the students at the heart of all their decisions.
At his last Board of Education meeting, Dr. Young gifted a final starfish pin as Superintendent to BCSD incoming Superintendent, Joseph Dhara, wishing him well as the new Berlin Superintendent of Schools. “My heart and mind will be here forever,” said Dr. Young.
The Berlin Central School District thanks Dr. Young and wishes him well on his retirement.