Terrence Clark, superintendent of Bethpage schools, to retire
Terrence Clark, the Bethpage school district's superintendent for nine years, announced on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, that he will retire effective June 2018. Credit: Bethpage school district
Longtime Bethpage educator Terrence Clark, who has been the Bethpage school district’s superintendent for nine years, announced he is retiring in June.
Clark, 57, has been with the district for 32 years, starting as a social studies teacher at Bethpage High School in 1986. He also has served as supervisor of social studies and technology, director of technology and assistant superintendent for instruction and technology for the 2,800-plus student system.
The schools chief, in a statement Monday, said he considers himself “the luckiest guy in the world” to have been hired more than three decades ago.
“I have the greatest appreciation for the students, parents, board members and colleagues whom I have worked with over the years,” Clark said. “They have made this a great joy for me.”
His annual salary is $273,549, according to a district spokeswoman. A replacement for Clark has not been named.
Upon retirement, Clark hopes to remain active in the Bethpage community through his work with civic organizations and the Bethpage Educational Foundation, according to the district.
During his tenure, he authored the plan to adopt full-day kindergarten, oversaw expansion of Advanced Placement course offerings and worked with administrators and teachers to raise students’ scores on the SAT college admissions test.
In addition, the district hit technology milestones, becoming one of the first systems on Long Island to have internet access, introducing the FIRST Robotics Club and initiating the district’s Chromebook notebook computer program. The district also formed the Student Civic Association, which is the high school’s community service club, and started the first Senior Citizen Prom in 1990.
“During Mr. Clark’s 32-year career at Bethpage, he has continually raised the bar on academics,” said Michael Kelly, president of the Bethpage Board of Education.
Among numerous recognitions, Clark has received the national Leaders in Learning Award, the Nassau BOCES Partner in Education Award, the Administrator of the Year Award from the Nassau Library System and Innovative Educator of the Year Award from Phi Delta Kappa, the national professional association for educators.
Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.
