Sam Schneider, assistant superintendent for business at the East Hampton School District, has been named the Gregory E. Carlson Outstanding School Business Official of the Year by the New York Association of School Business Officials.
The award “recognizes a school business official who has demonstrated exceptional excellence in the performance of their duties and responsibilities to their school district and broader community,” according to a release.
“Sam has been a terrific addition to the East Hampton Union Free School District family,” said Schools Superintendent Adam Fine on Monday. “We are very proud of him. He deserves this award for all of his hard work and commitment to this community.”
Mr. Schneider will be honored by the organization when it meets in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on June 10, and a $1,500 donation will be made to the East Hampton School District, which can be used as needed, including for scholarships or to purchase equipment.
“I was very honored to be recognized for my work and I was especially touched to have been nominated for this award by four different colleagues who work in various school business offices in the region,” Mr. Schneider said by email Monday morning. In addition to his role in East Hampton, he also works at the Springs School and as a consultant at the Shelter Island School District.
“I am very proud of the work that we are doing in the East Hampton School district,” he continued, “and I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the people who work in the business office with me. They are my partners in the successes we have had.”
Mr. Schneider also acknowledged Mr. Fine and the school board, for “supporting the development of an expansive program of shared services with our neighboring school districts.” His award also cited him for championing “shared service models to provide operational support in areas like finance, special education, and transportation — delivering both cost savings and enhanced educational outcomes.”
East Hampton, for example, provides maintenance for Wainscott and bus maintenance for Montauk and Springs. Additionally, East Hampton, Springs, Amagansett, and Montauk plan to create a shared special education program at the Springs School, to relieve students from making the long trip to BOCES in Westhampton Beach while saving taxpayers money.
“I am looking forward to sharing our experiences with my colleagues from across New York State next month at the . . . conference,” Mr. Schneider said. “East Hampton School District is a great place to work, and I feel very fortunate to be here.”