Questar III special education building named for late board member
CASTLETON- ON-HUDSON, N.Y. » Questar III BOCES has recognized a former board member by naming its special education program located at the former Maple Hill Middle School in Castleton-on-Hudson the Paul Puccio School at Maple Hill.
The new name honors the legacy of the late Paul Puccio, who dedicated much of his life to public education and students in Schodack and Questar III.
Questar III District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz said it was only fitting to name the school for Puccio, who served simultaneously on three school boards: Schodack Central School District, Questar III, and Tech Valley High School.
“Paul was the model school board member that every superintendent and community needs. Throughout his work and deliberations, he focused on expanding opportunities for our students to learn and for our school districts to collaborate on. Paul’s mission of service – to enrich the lives of others – is our mission at the BOCES, and we continue to be inspired by his life’s work,” said Cruz.
Puccio dedicated his life to public service and community involvement. He was first elected to the Schodack CSD Board of Education in 1981 and Questar III Board of Education in 1999 and served in both capacities until his death in February 2019.
“We are proud to recognize Paul Puccio for his outstanding leadership and service to the Schodack Central School District and greater community,” Schodack CSD Superintendent Jason Chevrier said. “We are proud and honored to partner with Questar III BOCES to see its program in Schodack named after him. It is a great recognition of his commitment to all students, our schools, and the greater Schodack community.”
Puccio helped expand and restructure many Questar III programs and services to better serve students and school districts. He chaired the board’s audit committee, meeting regularly with business officials. He also served as an instructor and curriculum developer for required board trainings. In 2017, he developed an online training program for new and veteran board members.
Puccio was also a founding member of the Tech Valley High School Operating Board, serving as its first president from 2006 to 2018. As president, Puccio and his colleagues helped Tech Valley High School grow into a nationally recognized school. Today, it continues to lead public education into the future, fostering new relationships with business, higher education, and the community.
The Paul Puccio School at Maple Hill serves special education students attending two Questar III programs, a middle school therapeutic program (TYP) and a middle school New York State Alternative Assessment ( NYSSA) program. The TYP classes are designed for students with a mental health diagnosis that interferes with success in school, which may include school phobia and anxiety. The NYSSA classes are designed for students with significant cognitive difficulties as well as social and behavioral disabilities.