Dr. Stuart Lyman and Richard Svenson, both longtime and highly respected members of the Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education, are retiring this year.
Lyman was a member of the Bethlehem Central Board of Education since 1994 and served as board president from 2004-2007. He is a veterinarian at Delmar Animal Hospital and teaches large animal health at SUNY Cobleskill. Lyman and his wife, Jane, own Lyman’s Sleighbell Farm on Meads Lane, where they raise sheep and Belgian horses, grow pumpkins and pick-your-own raspberries.
Lyman said he will miss the particular synergy he experienced when the board members worked together to come up with novel solutions to districtwide challenges.
After 13 years, it’s hard to list accomplishments, but the tenor of the board and the relationships we have with each other is something rarely seen on boards, said Lyman. `We were rarely confrontational, but instead, cooperative with one another. Other boards fight among themselves, but we got the work done.`
Superintendent Les Loomis called Lyman a board member with `vision and creativity.`
`He would often raise questions that were full of insight and therefore moves us towards a better solution,` said Loomis.
One issue Lyman pressed for during his tenure stands out as an example of the ripple effect one decision can make to the future design of school facilities.
`When we were going through construction of the high school prior to this one, it took me two years to convince the board we needed to move the tennis courts to the back of the school,` said Lyman. `It seems so simple, but after that, we had the ability to put more parking out front. We wouldn’t have ripped up new tennis courts to do that. It was input on one small thing; over time, you hope those small things add up to large changes.`
Lyman said he takes his cues from former partner Dr. Robert Lync, now retired and an avid watercolor artist.
`He never accepted too many volunteer roles, because he wanted to choose a few and do them well,` said Lyman. `It’s a good balance.`
Richard Svenson was a school board member from 1997-2000, returning in July 2001. During his tenure, he served as president and vice president.
`He was instrumental in the approach we took in the structure of our operations and maintenance department and the hiring of Gregg Nolte as director,` said Loomis.
Svenson is a licensed professional engineer and has worked for 30 years at the state health department’s Center for Environmental Health.
`I brought my particular talents and interest to the board and have certainly had an impact in some areas,` said Svenson. `It’s been a rewarding and excellent experience.`
Svenson is a past president of the soccer booster club and was an inter-club and travel coach for several Bethlehem soccer club teams. He has held office in community and professional organizations and was an active volunteer for the American Lung Association of New York State.
Svenson and his wife, Cathleen, have been residents of the district for more than 30 years and have three daughters, all of whom are Bethlehem Central High School graduates.
One of the longest tenured Bethlehem school board members and current president of the Capital Region BOCES Board, Lynne L. Lenhardt, said the men will be missed for their many contributions to the group.
`This is a lot of history gone,` said Lenhardt. `Their perspectives have been very helpful over the years. It’s healthy for a board to be represented by people with a variety of backgrounds.`
Lenhardt said she admires Lyman for delving into issues to be certain all possibilities are considered.
`Stu asked very insightful questions and has a great ability to think outside the box,` said Lenhardt. `For his going away gift, I gave him a large box with gems inside, because he always located the hidden gems.`
Lenhardt said Svenson’s background as an engineer was invaluable to both the board and community members.
`Over time, he saved taxpayers lots of money,` she said. `He had strong knowledge of the facilities and buildings, and he knew about all previous bond issues.`
“
