Athletic director, assistant principal leaves school district

MILLBROOK ­— The Millbrook Central School District bid farewell to Brian Devincenzi, the high school and middle school assistant principal and the district’s athletic director, during the homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 14.“We thank him for his years of service and legacy here,” Superintendent Lloyd Jaeger said. “I join in the collective appreciation of his students, friends, colleagues and community associates for the contributions he has made to the lives and programs our students have enjoyed each day. We wish him the very best in his new assistant principal opportunity in the Wallkill Central School District.”Devincenzi began working at Millbrook during the 2002-03 school year as a coach and substitute. By the following year, his position had changed to athletic director and social studies teacher. He served as both the athletic director and assistant principal during his final two years with the district. Devincenzi said one of his greatest accomplishments while working at Millbrook was organizing the Athletic Hall of Fame. The first induction ceremony was held on Friday, Oct. 7. Devincenzi said some of his other accomplishments include planning the night contest for homecoming, having the district win a sportsmanship award and receiving recognition in a regional magazine.“My fondest memories will be of the students, staff and community,” Devincenzi said. “They all have been great and supportive and I will miss the daily relationships I have built.”During the Oct. 17 Board of Education meeting, Jaeger appointed three individuals to take over Devincenzi’s duties for the remainder of the school year through June 30, 2012.“Two of our staff, Bill Blayney and Dawn Harkenrider, will become co-athletic directors,” Jaeger said. “As interim assistant principal for our high school and middle school, the board has appointed Marisa Merlino, an experienced building and program administrator whose work over the last decade was in the Wappinger and Hyde Park school districts. We welcome Mrs. Merlino and thank Mr. Blayney and Ms. Harkenrider for undertaking the leadership of our athletic program.”

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