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The Mohonasen Foundation for Excellence, Inc.
P.O. Box 4207
l
Schenectady, NY 12304


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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors is composed of members of the Mohonasen community who wish to actively contribute to the education of its students. Directors must be at least 18 years of age and may not be employees of the district. 

The insight of district parents and alumni interested in advancing the quality of their children’s educational experiences benefit students and the foundation. Past Mohonasen Board of Education members and individuals that represent the ethnic and cultural diversity of the community are encouraged to bring their unique perspectives to the board. The Foundation benefits from the expertise of directors who have experience in finance, communication, development, accounting, planning and education.

Directors’ terms are for two years which are served without compensation. Sharing your valuable time and skills the Mohonasen Foundation for Excellence is a rewarding experience. If you are interesting in joining the Board of Directors, contact one of the current members listed below or complete the interest survey.

The current Board of Directors is composed of eleven members who meet monthly. Members are: Joe Anderson, Willard Baker, Chip Cornish, Paul DeLorenzo, Mary Kay Komarinski, Paula Marshman, Patricia Novak, Craig W. Radliff and John Gahan. Patrick McGrath, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, serves as the liaison to the Foundation. You can read more about our board members below...


JOE ANDERSON
Joe Anderson began teaching Social Studies at Mohonasen High School in 1957 and retired after 34 years of service in 1991. He graduated from Albany State where he earned a BA and MA in Social Studies. At various times in his career he coached Junior Varsity basketball, freshman basketball, volleyball and golf. He married a district art teacher, the former Annette Thisse. They have six children and nine grandchildren. Joe enjoys camping, fishing, golf and his gym membership. Joe joined the board of directors of the Mohonasen Foundation in 2007.


BILL BAKER
Mr. Baker was educated in the Schenectady School System, graduating from Mont Pleasant High School in 1951. He continued his education, graduating from Springfield College with a bachelor's degree in physical education and from SUNY Albany with a master's degree in school administration. He is married to Lois Sigsbee Baker. They have four children: Deborah Baker Wilday, a teacher and coach in the Galway School District; Dennis, a manufacturing engineer for Focus Golf in Greenville, SC; Kim, a manager for the Times Union in Albany; and Roger, a policeman in New London, CT. Mr. Baker began his teaching career at Mohonasen in 1957 (the first year of centralization), teaching health, physical education and driver education classes. While at Mohonasen, he coached varsity basketball for 24 years, varsity baseball, varsity golf, varsity volleyball and varsity girls soccer. He was also athletic director at Mohonasen from 1972 to 1986, serving as president of the regional athletic directors association in 1974.  Mr. Baker retired from Mohonasen in 1988. Other activities include working as a soccer referee at both the scholastic and college level for 20 years. He is a member of the Belllevue Reformed Church, serving as vice president of the church Consistory. He also enjoys woodworking, golf, and chairing the Foundation's annual golf tournament, it's major fundraising event.


CHIP CORNISH
Chip (Norman) Cornish has been highly visible in the Mohonasen community since 1968 when he began as a teacher at Bradt School. As a sixth grade science teacher at Draper Middle School, Chip was known for using the school's observatory to maximum advantage when integrated into the science curriculum. He conducted special observatory programs for his students, science club members and curious parents. Since Mr. Cornish retired from Mohonasen in 2002, he has directed his time to family, community service, and a coin business. As Grants Director of the Mohonasen Foundation, Chip feels right at home when he visits teachers who have applied for Foundation grants.


PAUL DELORENZO
Paul E. DeLorenzo Esq. is a practicing attorney with the Schenectady- based Delorenzo Law Firm. The firm has been in existence for over 50 years and has allowed Paul to participate in many of our community groups, such as Rotterdam Girls Softball. His father played a big role in starting the softball league and as such, Paul likes to be involved and help the league in any way he can. Paul also served as a Rotterdam New York Town Attorney, Board Member of Campus Life, and Event organizer for Toys for Tots, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and regularly lectures on many facets of New York State Law. Paul became involved with the Mohonasen Foundation for Excellence because of his young son beginning to reach school age. It brought a further awareness of how our future depends on the education, culture, and moral framework of our community’s youth. Paul joined the foundation in January 2010 and is the foundation’s treasurer.


JOHN GAHAN
John Gahan, currently president of the Foundation, joined the Foundation in 2006 after a long history with Mohonasen, which started in 1961 in the first grade at the John Bigsbee Elementary School and culminated with graduation from Mohonasen in 1973. John received his BS in Accounting from Bryant College in 1977 and started with the NYS Health Department after graduation. Currently he is the Director with the Bureau of Primary and Acute Care Reimbursement with the Department of Health. He renewed his involvement with Mohonasen as a volunteer when his daughter Christina started school. She has recently received both her undergraduate and MBA degree from Union College. John is married to Denise (D’Arcangelo – Class of 1974). He has been chairman of the budget review committee, co-chair of Elementary Reorganization Committee, initial member of Goals the 2000 Initiative, as well as serving on the Board of Education for 11 years, three years as its president. His goal as a member of the Foundation is to help it increase its exposure and money raising ability so that it can provide grants to support unique academic initiatives to further the educational experience of our Mohonasen students.


MARY KAY KOMARINSKI
Mrs. Komarinski serves as the Mohonasen Foundation's secretary. She was raised in Toledo, Ohio and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheeling Jesuit University. While attending college, she met her husband, Peter. In 1973, her family moved to the Capital District, settling in Rotterdam. In 1988, Mrs. Komarinski received her master's degree in special education. Since then, she has been a special education teacher in the Shenendehowa Central School District. All five of her children; Mark, Derrick, Scott, Allen and Kathleen, graduated from Mohonasen. The four oldest have all graduated from college, with Scott receiving his MBA from the University of Delaware.  Kathleen is a sophomore at Catholic University of America. Both Mr. and Mrs. Komarinski have been involved in community activities. Mrs. Komarinski has been a volunteer with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She is very active at St. Gabriel’s Church, serving on the parish council for many years and as a religious education teacher.  For the past ten years, she has assisted with the youth choir.  She has served on several committees at Mohonasen, including as a facilitator for the EPIC parenting program.


PAULA MARSHMAN
Paula was elected to the Mohonasen Foundation for Excellence in August 2009. Prior to this, she has volunteered in several capacities with the Mohonasen community: as a homeroom parent, co-chair of CommUnity Day – an event used to showcase and celebrate the district and the community at large, and as a member of the Budget Advisory Committee. Professionally, Paula works for the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance as a Project Manager overseeing primary training portfolios for the agency. She has also had a career as a community and waterfront planner for the State Coastal Management Program and Brownfield initiative. While she enjoys volunteering with different community projects, her “pride and joy” are her daughters, Becca and Hannah. Paula received her M.S. degree from Michigan State University and B.A. degree from SUNY College at Plattsburgh.


PATRICK MCGRATH
Biography coming soon...


PATRICIA NOVAK
Mrs. Novak was elected to the Foundation’s Board in 2000 and is currently serving as president.  In that capacity, she orchestrates the foundation's grant program, development activities and alumni relations. She considers her participation on the Board as an opportunity for continued involvement in maintaining the excellence of education for Mohonasen students. Mrs. Novak earned a B.S. from the State University at Oswego and an M.S. degree from The College of St. Rose. Prior to her retirement from the Mohonasen District in 1999, Mrs. Novak taught for 32 years at the elementary level, including experience at kindergarten, Grade 2, remedial reading, remedial math, the Gifted and Talented programs and the Enrichment programs. She also served as elementary language arts coordinator. During her teaching career, Mrs. Novak was twice recognized through the Scholars’ Recognition Program by graduating seniors who selected her as their most influential teacher.  She was also selected for the 1992-93 Select Seminar on Excellence in Education and for a NASA seminar on space education. Mrs. Novak and her husband, Walter, have resided in Rotterdam since 1967.  Their daughter, Alessandra, is a member of Mohonasen’s Class of 1990. Mrs. Novak is an avid cook who also enjoys reading and traveling.  


CRAIG W. RADLIFF
Mr. Radliff is the Foundation's vice president. He grew up in the Schenectady area and graduated from Mohonasen High School in 1976.  He continued his education and received his associate's degree from Alfred State College and his bachelor of science degree in industrial technology from Buffalo State College. Mr. Radliff joined General Electric in 1980 and has a held a variety of positions at different locations. In 1991, he returned to the area and is currently the manager of the Schenectady Facilities Operations for Power Systems. In June 2005, Mr. Radliff received the Mohonasen Board of Education's Board Recognition Award. Craig and his wife, Elsa, have two children, Casey and Christopher. They reside in Rotterdam.


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This Web page is maintained by Erin McNulty for The Mohonasen Foundation for Excellence. All rights reserved. To contact the Foundation Board, write: PO Box 4207, Schenectady, New York 12304.