Hilari Cohen and Ira Checkla did not seek re-election this year for Jericho's board of education and when the two new board members, Shawn Gladstone and Mark Basile are sworn in next month, Cohen and Checkla's terms as school board members will be over, but their dedication to the school district and the community will live on.

Hilari Cohen was first elected to Jericho's school board in 1998 and she served as president from 1999 until 2006. She represented the community while she served three consecutive terms.

Cohen's dedication to the Jericho School District began as soon as she moved here in 1988. Along with her husband Kenneth, Hilari watched their children, Jonathan who is a Jericho graduate and David who will be a senior in September, flourish.

Cohen said that her greatest accomplishments include the passage of a bond in 1998 to expand the middle school/high school complex and renovate the elementary schools, the hiring of all the building administrators, the implementation of K-12 curriculum associates, the longer elementary school day, foreign language instruction as early as kindergarten and the creation of the exploratory elective program in the middle school.

Cohen will have fond memories of her time spent on the board. "I am very proud to have been able to serve my community and proud of all of the work we have done for all of the incredible children in our district," she said. "I've had the opportunity to work with such wonderful people during my time on the board and I am so glad that I did it," said Cohen.

Hank Grishman, superintendent of Jericho Schools, said, "Hilari holds the longest stretch as president in Jericho's board history and she has left an indelible mark throughout her seven years. Even through challenging times, she has provided insightful, sensitive and caring leadership that has helped direct the school district to continue to improve our mission to be the best we can for the kids we serve."

Ira Checkla first moved to Jericho in August of 1996 and it didn't take him long to get involved in the school district. He was elected to the board in 2000 and is finishing his second term. Checkla lives in Jericho along with his wife Susan and children Matthew and Melanie, who both attend Jericho schools.

Checkla is proud of many of his accomplishments during his tenure on the board, which he calls a "labor of love." One of his greatest successes is participating in a successful collaboration with administration, principals, curriculum associates, the Jericho Teachers Association and the Parent Teacher Associations to expand the elementary school teaching day in his first year as a school board member.

"I believe I have made a positive impact on all facets of our school system and community while serving on the board," Checkla said. "This was just the right time to take a break from it."

"Ira has been an active player in our school community since he has lived in Jericho, serving for the last six years as a committed and involved member of our board," said Grishman. "Ira also has provided an insightful perspective in dealing with the problems that the district has faced. He is incredibly intelligent and has a heart the size of the school district. As a result, he helped to provide leadership that is meaningful and has impacted all of the kids in our school district in tremendous ways."

Many colleagues and residents understand the great impact that a school board member can have on a successful school district and are happy they had both Cohen and Checkla representing them.

"It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Hilari and Ira," said fellow board member Barbara Krieger. "Together, we've evolved from inexperienced to seasoned board members. I've learned a great deal from each of them about researching issues, dealing with occasional adversity and doing the right thing for the students of our district. I will miss their excellent analysis and input in executive session, but look forward to their promised continued participation at public meetings. I feel privileged to have made such good friends."

Grishman spoke of Cohen and Checkla with great admiration. "It is impossible to sum up the huge impact that both Hilari and Ira have had on the school district. They are intelligent, committed and unselfish. The positive impact that they have had on the school district is immeasurable."

The Jericho School District will host a reception to honor Cohen and Checkla on Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. in the front lobby of the middle/high school complex. The reception will be held prior to the board of education meeting.