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Fair Former District 30 superintendent dies William Van Ness spent his entire 40-year career in the district
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Van Ness earned a bachelor's degree from Cortland State Teacher's College and went on to complete three master's degree programs in education, psychology and administration from Teacher's College, Columbia University, according to a District 30 newsletter published in May 1991, just prior to Van Ness' retirement.
As evidenced by his own experience, education was extremely important to Van Ness, especially the education of students in District 30, where he spent his entire career. According to a quote published in the newsletter, Van Ness' parting comment to the district was, "Good Luck. You have something special -- protect it."
Van Ness took a very hands-on approach to overseeing the district. He was instrumental in recruiting new members to the District 30 Board of Education. While superintendent, Van Ness encouraged board members, including William Gauger and Lenore Egan, to seek election, but he was always careful to only encourage those who were already active in the schools. Egan only retired from the board last year just before a move upstate and Gauger is currently serving as board president. Former board president and current board member, Richard Eisenberg, was also elected to the board during Van Ness' tenure.
"He is the reason I'm on the board," Gauger said of Van Ness. "Eighteen years ago he had approached my wife, she was very active in the [Shaw] PTA, and he asked if I would be interested in being on the board."
At first Gauger turned down the chance to seek election because, at the time, he was actively involved in the Army Reserves. Months later when a second opportunity presented itself, Gauger decided to run and was elected. Although they never spoke about it, Gauger suspects Van Ness asked him to seek election after he became especially vocal during budget hearings.
"He had an uncanny ability to bring people together with like thoughts and no hidden agendas who were totally, totally interested in the education and betterment of the children," Gauger said.
Egan had been a school crossing guard and was very active in the Clear Stream Avenue School PTA when Van Ness approached her about seeking election to the board.
"He was the one who inspired me and said, "I'd love you on the board," Egan said. "He loved children. Education was his priority. That was his love; his dedication."
Van Ness was also a visionary. Long before full-day kindergarten programs became commonplace throughout Long Island, Van Ness sought to institute them in District 30. In 1985, the district began holding full-day kindergarten classes.
"He was an extremely fine educator who wasn't afraid to be on the cutting edge of education," Gauger said. "He could see the benefits of this type of program and was willing to go out there with very little being written about it at the time."
And despite decreasing enrollment during his tenure, Van Ness and the board, at that time, had the foresight not to sell the Washington Avenue School building, but to rent it out instead.
"He kept it in the back of his mind that perhaps someday enrollment would go back up and the district would need to use the building again," Gauger said.
Enrollment did increase again and the district moved its offices from Shaw to Washington Avenue to make room for the higher enrollment. Most recently, a bond was approved and construction is underway to convert the Washington Avenue offices into much needed classrooms to accommodate an even greater enrollment.
Van Ness was succeeded by Lawrence McGoldrick.
Van Ness was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy. He is survived by his children Cheryl Lusterman, William James, Jr., Robert and Thomas. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren.
As evidenced by his own experience, education was extremely important to Van Ness, especially the education of students in District 30, where he spent his entire career. According to a quote published in the newsletter, Van Ness' parting comment to the district was, "Good Luck. You have something special -- protect it."
Van Ness took a very hands-on approach to overseeing the district. He was instrumental in recruiting new members to the District 30 Board of Education. While superintendent, Van Ness encouraged board members, including William Gauger and Lenore Egan, to seek election, but he was always careful to only encourage those who were already active in the schools. Egan only retired from the board last year just before a move upstate and Gauger is currently serving as board president. Former board president and current board member, Richard Eisenberg, was also elected to the board during Van Ness' tenure.
"He is the reason I'm on the board," Gauger said of Van Ness. "Eighteen years ago he had approached my wife, she was very active in the [Shaw] PTA, and he asked if I would be interested in being on the board."
At first Gauger turned down the chance to seek election because, at the time, he was actively involved in the Army Reserves. Months later when a second opportunity presented itself, Gauger decided to run and was elected. Although they never spoke about it, Gauger suspects Van Ness asked him to seek election after he became especially vocal during budget hearings.
"He had an uncanny ability to bring people together with like thoughts and no hidden agendas who were totally, totally interested in the education and betterment of the children," Gauger said.
Egan had been a school crossing guard and was very active in the Clear Stream Avenue School PTA when Van Ness approached her about seeking election to the board.
"He was the one who inspired me and said, "I'd love you on the board," Egan said. "He loved children. Education was his priority. That was his love; his dedication."
Van Ness was also a visionary. Long before full-day kindergarten programs became commonplace throughout Long Island, Van Ness sought to institute them in District 30. In 1985, the district began holding full-day kindergarten classes.
"He was an extremely fine educator who wasn't afraid to be on the cutting edge of education," Gauger said. "He could see the benefits of this type of program and was willing to go out there with very little being written about it at the time."
And despite decreasing enrollment during his tenure, Van Ness and the board, at that time, had the foresight not to sell the Washington Avenue School building, but to rent it out instead.
"He kept it in the back of his mind that perhaps someday enrollment would go back up and the district would need to use the building again," Gauger said.
Enrollment did increase again and the district moved its offices from Shaw to Washington Avenue to make room for the higher enrollment. Most recently, a bond was approved and construction is underway to convert the Washington Avenue offices into much needed classrooms to accommodate an even greater enrollment.
Van Ness was succeeded by Lawrence McGoldrick.
Van Ness was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy. He is survived by his children Cheryl Lusterman, William James, Jr., Robert and Thomas. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren.
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