The Bethlehem Central School District is mourning the loss of one of their own.
The district announced on Thursday, Oct. 23, the passing away of Assistant Superintendent for Business Steven O’Shea.
It is with great sadness that the district announces the death of Assistant Superintendent for Business Steven O’Shea after a lengthy battle with cancer, the district said in a release.
O’Shea has worked for the district for the past 11 years and has handled the financial reigns of the suburban school district during a time of considerable growth and transformation.
District Superintendent Michael Tebbano said O’Shea’s presence will be missed.
`Anyone who knows Steve knows that the district is not the same without him,` Tebbano said. `Steve was an excellent financial steward for Bethlehem Central and its taxpayers. He was also a great friend. I know I speak for many in the district who worked closely with Steve when I say that it’s hard to imagine BC without Steve’s sense of humor, his calm presence and his leadership and knowledge of school finance.`
O’Shea joined the district in 1997 after serving as a school business administrator for the Scotia-Glenville Central School District, where he helped implement several substaintial technology improvements and capital construction projects.
He used his experience at Scotia-Glenville to help serve the Bethlehem district.
`He will be remembered as a smiling, steady presence who did great work for Bethlehem Central for more than a decade,` the release said. `Mr. O’Shea’s leadership and expertise were invaluable, particularly with the historic 2003 capital project that has done so much to improve the district’s technological and physical infrastructure for students.`
The New York State Association of School Business Officials awarded a $1,000 scholarship in Mr. O’Shea’s name at last year’s Bethlehem Central High School Awards Evening. The scholarship went to a graduating senior who planned to pursue a degree in business, finance and/or education.
According to the award description, Mr. O’Shea’s peers across the state did this to recognize him as a member of their organization `who exemplifies honor, commitment and dedication,` in their profession.
District officials said the Bethlehem Board of Education will decide on who will take over the district’s business office in the coming weeks. In the meantime, its operations will remain under new school business administrator and former town comptroller, Judi Kehoe, and with the assistance of a retired school business official during its time of transition.
For more updates on this story go to www.spotlightnews.com or read the Wednesday, Oct. 29, print version of The Spotlight.
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