L to R: Columbia Principal John Sawchuk, Alex DeMarco, and Columbia Assistant Principals Sarah Hoffman and Tim Malloy.
Alex DeMarco and Wayne Pratt were honored for their service to the East Greenbush Central School District with the Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA) Friends of Education Awards on February 16 at the Friends of Education Dinner in Albany.
CASDA presents this award to recognize the selfless contributions of individuals who dedicate themselves to serving students and the school community.
Mr. DeMarco has served as president of Columbia High School’s PTSO for the past two years. His leadership, foresight and positivity have led to increased membership and historically successful fundraising efforts to support Columbia’s instructional and extracurricular programs. His remarkable abilities as a communicator have been integral to the process of developing shared decision making teams.
Mr. DeMarco’s efforts have supported the development of programs such as the Multi-Cultural Fair, a new mobile app and a Homeroom Attendance Improvement Program sponsored by Dunkin Donuts.
Superintendent Jeff Simons with Wayne Pratt at the CASDA Friends of Education Dinner.
Mr. Pratt’s insight and expertise have been invaluable assets to East Greenbush’s Budget Review and Advisory Committee for more than 20 years. As the committee’s chair, Mr. Pratt skillfully negotiates the complex fiscal and long term planning issues facing the school district. He encourages fellow community members to participate on the committee and helps to familiarize them with the importance of the budgeting process.
Each spring, Mr. Pratt donates his time to attend community meetings and presentations to educate the citizens on budget issues and hands out budget pamphlets at the annual District-wide Art Show.
Congratulations to Mr. DeMarco and Mr. Pratt!