Outgoing Rochester Memorial School Committee member Sharon Hartley received an official citation from the Massachusetts State Senate presented by Maureen Estes Flanagan, district director for the office of state Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues, during a celebration of service held on Monday, May 12. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Principal Heidi Letendre and the Rochester Memorial School Committee are proud to celebrate Sharon Hartley for her 20 years of elected service and her longtime career as a respected educator for the district.
A celebration of service recognizing Hartley as a member of the Rochester Memorial School Committee for about 20 years was held at the Rochester Memorial School Cafetorium on Monday, May 12. Hartley was also honored as a former Rochester Memorial School teacher, a former principal, and as a former member of the Joint School Committee for many years.
Hartley, a Rochester resident, is not running for the School Committee again after serving on the elected body since 2006.
“It has been an honor to serve the Town of Rochester as a member of the Rochester School Committee for more than 20 years and also to serve on the Joint School Committee with colleagues from all three towns,” said Hartley. “In these roles, it has been a privilege to support the efforts and accomplishments of our dedicated District leaders and the talented educators at Rochester Memorial School.”
The May 12 celebration was attended by fellow School Committee members, school administrators, staff, faculty, town officials and community members. Hartley’s colleagues on the Rochester Memorial School Committee include Robin Rounseville, Kate Duggan, Anne Fernandes and Josh Trombly.
“On behalf of the Rochester Memorial School District, we would like to thank Mrs. Sharon Hartley for her many years of dedication and leadership to support public education,” said Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre. “We are grateful to have had Mrs. Hartley leading our School Committee for several decades and we wish her all the best as she embarks on new endeavors.”
Before she served on the School Committee, Hartley was first hired as a teacher at Rochester Memorial School in 1973. In addition, she served as the School Committee’s representative on the Town of Rochester Building Committee for the 31,000-square-feet addition to the back of Rochester Memorial School that was completed in 2011.
During the May 12 celebration, Hartley received an official citation from the Massachusetts State Senate, presented by Maureen Estes Flanagan, district director for the office of state Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues.
The Town of Rochester and its Board of Selectmen also issued a proclamation recognizing Hartley for her many years of service.
“Sharon Hartley has been a guiding voice on the School Committee, always prioritizing educational excellence and the well-being of the entire school community,” the proclamation stated. “The Select Board of the Town of Rochester does hereby express its deepest gratitude to Sharon Hartley for her extraordinary commitment and lasting contributions to the Town of Rochester and proclaims our appreciation and recognition of her enduring legacy of public service.”
With the expiration of her current term at the end of 2025, Hartley will no longer continue serving on the Rochester Memorial School Committee. But she does plan to serve on the town’s newly formed Event Committee, continuing her legacy of civic engagement in a new capacity.
Town Administrator Cameron Durant congratulated Hartley on her 20 years on the school committee, and her time before that as a Rochester Memorial School teacher and principal.
“We will certainly miss having you on the School Committee, but we would also like to congratulate you for your many years of public service,” Durant said. “Your contribution to the town and its schools have certainly been very much appreciated. And we wish you success in your new role on the Event Committee.”
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Sharlene Fedorowicz, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Jaime Curley and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howard Barber also thanked Hartley for her many years of service.
“It’s been an honor working with you on important issues of finance that impact our beloved Rochester Memorial School,” Barber said. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done in your capacity on the School Committee. Your support for Rochester Memorial School and all of our students has been immense.”
“Thank you, Sharon, and congratulations on your years of service and dedication to our schools, our administration, our faculty, our staff and our students,” Dr. Curley said. “We all wish you the best in the next phase of your public service, enjoying some added free time, and embarking on new endeavors.”
“We all want to express our appreciation for Sharon Hartley and her many years of service to our community. She’s been an unwavering advocate for our students, teachers and staff,” said Dr. Fedorowicz. “Thank you for your steadfast support of Rochester Memorial School and all the students that have walked through its doors.”
“On behalf of our school community, I’d like to thank Sharon for her many years of dedication and service to the education of our young people,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Her contributions have helped improve Rochester Memorial School greatly. She leaves a legacy of teaching and service that has benefited us all.”
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Outgoing Rochester Memorial School Committee member Sharon Hartley received a Rochester Memorial School T-shirt as Robin Rounseville, center, and Anne Fernandes look on. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Adam Murphy, left, a member of the Rochester Board of Selectmen and Suzanne Szyndlar, left, finance director for the Town of Rochester, congratulate outgoing Rochester Memorial School Committee member Sharon Hartley. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
A celebration of service recognizing Sharon Hartley as a longtime Rochester Memorial School Committee member was held on Monday, May 12, inside the Rochester Memorial School Cafetorium. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
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