The HFM BOCES Board of Education presented Dorman Reese, of Wells, with the David C. Edwards Distinguished School Board Member
From left, Linda and Bob Edwards, David C. Edwards’ sister-in-law and brother, present Dorman Reese with the Second Annual David C. Edwards Distinguished School Board Member Service Award.
Service Award during a special presentation at the HFM BOCES Annual Meeting Wednesday, April 3.
The HFM Board of Education established the School Board Member Service Award last year in honor of former BOCES board member David Edwards, who passed away in 2017 and served nearly four decades on the HFM board. The award, which is given annually, seeks to recognize HFM area board of education members who exhibit innovative and ethical leadership.
Reese was first elected to the Wells board in 1975 to fill an unexpired term. He served for one year and did not seek reelection to the board for another eight years. During that time, however, Reese was a regular attendee at Wells board meetings continuing to be interested and involved. In 1984, he ran again to fill another unexpired term and has remained on the Wells board since that time. He last won reelection to a five-year term in 2016.
“His fellow board members see him as a true gentleman, respectful of everyone, and a mentor who always shares his knowledge and the history of the school and past board practices. He’s a true community resource and inspiration,” HFM BOCES Board of Education President Joanne Freeman said during the award presentation. “Thank you for your inspiration and your service.”
“It’s been an honor to serve,” Reese said, noting that school board work is all about the students and the community. “That’s what this is all about.”
Dorman Reese speaks after being presented with the Second Annual David C. Edwards Distinguished School Board Member Service Award at the HFM BOCES Annual meeting April 3. HFM BOCES Board of Education President Joanne Freeman look on.
Reese also thanked the school district employees.
“Our teachers, staff and administrators, they are the ones that do it all,” he said.
Reese’s tenure on the Wells board spans approximately one-third of the existence of the Wells district, which was chartered in 1912. It is believed he has served longer on the Wells board than any other member in the district’s history.
“Dorman has always put children first, while keeping a careful eye on taxes,” Wells board members said in their nomination of Reese. “Dorman, ‘thank you’ seems so understated for the hard work and devotion that you have given and continue to give to Wells Central School District.”
A graduate of Wells High School, Reese worked in the logging industry for 44 years before retiring.
In addition to serving on the school board, Reese has also served as a volunteer elementary baseball coach, an assistant elementary soccer coach, and a volunteer assistant elementary basketball coach. In 2016, he was also the recipient of the Wells Central School Service Award.
Dorman Reese, family members and HFM BOCES Board of Education President Joanne Freeman following the Second Annual David C. Edwards Distinguished School Board Member Service Award presentation April 3. From left back row, Freeman, Kyle Tomlinson, grandson; Pamela Blanchard, daughter; Becky Tomlinson, granddaughter; front row: Bradyn Persch, grandson; Geraldine Reese, his wife; Dorman Reese; and Crystal Reese, daughter.
About the David C. Edwards Award
David C. Edwards served 37 years on the BOCES Board of Education, and was president for several years before his death at age 87 in June 2017. He also served for 12 years on the Mayfield Central School District Board of Education.
In addition to his service in education, Mr. Edwards was also a town of Johnstown councilman, a Zoning Board of Appeals member and town supervisor. He volunteered for Cornell Cooperative Extension, and was appointed by Gov. George Pataki to serve on the board of the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. He was also an active member of the Pleasant Square Volunteer Fire Department for more than 60 years.
Following Mr. Edwards’ passing, the HFM BOCES Board of Education has established the award in his honor to recognize local board of education members who exhibit innovative and ethical leadership.
The David C. Edwards Distinguished School Board Member Service Award is presented at the HFM BOCES Annual Meeting in April of each year. The winner of the inaugural award was Mayfield Board of Education President Ernie Clapper.
