When I sat down to begin this article, I thought it might be interesting to look back to a relevant time juxtaposed to the present. That time would have been May 1995, and in doing so, I would highlight some of the events that occurred that year.
Then I thought a little bit more and realized it would probably have a greater impact if I shared what we had not yet experienced up to that point.
For instance, the first iPhone wouldn't be released until almost 13 years later. It is a piece of technology that seems to have been here forever.
In addition to this time marker, outstretching one's arms while proclaiming, "I am king of the world," had yet to be shared and/or mimicked until about two and a half years later, the U.S. premiere of James Cameron's "Titanic."
As told on , it was also in 1995 that great minds began working on what five years after that would be a groundbreaking, minimally invasive means of surgical procedure, the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System.
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Norman Chirco
All of this is directly unrelated to the topic at hand. But since these examples have been with us for so long, my modus operandi is to try to show exactly how long it truly has been since we were in the midst of the year 1995 when, during that May's budget vote within the Weedsport Central School District, Norman J. Chirco was elected as a board member for what would be the first of now seven terms. His next will begin this July.
When I asked Chirco, who ran unopposed, why he decided to take on this awesome responsibility another time, he told me: "First and foremost, I have great support from my wife, Amy, who encouraged me to run again. It has been my privilege to serve on the school board and in my humble opinion, I believe that there is more work to be done. I still have that fire in my stomach to keep serving."
Originally Chirco decided to run for a board seat when his oldest son, David, was 2, and his daughter Elizabeth (Biz) was just born. He told me that he could think of no better way to have an impact on the school district and the community that he and his wife, Amy, and their children would be in, than to run for the board of education.
A bit later, that family would grow to include two more boys, those being Michael and Robert.
An extraordinarily successful and well-respected attorney who shares his office with his law partner and daughter, Elizabeth Chirco Anderson, Chirco wears several hats as he holds seats on a number of committees/councils, often as their legal representative.
When I began at Weedsport in 1989, Gary Gilchrist was the superintendent who hired me. I enjoyed speaking with him a few weeks ago so that he could help me with this article.
Gilchrist told me that Chirco was a fit for the board, especially in the fact that board members in those days held positions for extended periods of time while being voted in multiple times.
Gilchrist said that when an individual looks at a school district, and that district provides the level of excellence that Weedsport does, it starts with the board of education.
He told me that Chirco's ability to enjoy everything that he does, while he puts everything into everything that he does, has made him the board member he is today and the board member he has always been.
He continued by saying wherever Chirco is, he gives his absolute all to every bit of what he is doing, and that has helped to make the Weedsport board of education what it was and what it still is.
When I asked Chirco to tell me some of the greatest celebrations he has been a part of, he told me that each year he enjoys attending the senior breakfast, the National Honor Society induction, and so many other events.
He continued to tell me that the expansion of the elementary school, adding the baseball and softball fields, and overseeing the work with six different superintendents has been an exciting part for him.
When I asked him what makes a board move in a positive direction, he told me that it is when the group works well together, as that sets the tone for the entire board and the district. He said it starts at the top.
I asked Chirco to tell me about some of the changes that he has been a part of that have made a difference from then over the years until today.
Of course, he spoke of technology like cellphones and smart boards. When he first sat on the board of education, blackboards, ditto machines, overhead projectors and lots of paper and pencil activities were part of any given district.
With the new technology in place, it's easier to monitor how kids are performing, and that can help us track student progress and help assist in better learning outcomes for all.
Additionally, Chirco told me that when he began 30 years ago, everything was run efficiently and had a rhythm. He said that the board made decisions, and everything was laid out and organized.
The board members who were in place to welcome him as its fifth member were Walter Coolbaugh, Russell Jorolemon, Barbara O'Connor (who held the longevity record second to Chirco's, hers being a 25-year stay) and William Saroodis.
Chirco mentioned that the death of Superintendent John Topichak was pivotal for the community and district. He stated that Topichak loved the district and had a vision for its future.
With hindsight being 20/20, Chirco told me that he wishes that he could have handled certain athletes and coaching situations differently, in addition to handling various situations in a different way. He also said he would have been more involved with conversations, giving way to a better understanding of how things were done.

Lynn Cheche Baker
Of Chirco, current Superintendent Gregory Stone told me: "Chirco has been a remarkable presence on our board for 30 years. His dedication to the students and families is truly inspiring. With a steadfast commitment, Chirco consistently places students at the heart of every decision. His deep understanding of the district history, combined with his thoughtful and steady leadership, has helped guide us through both periods of progress and times of challenge. Norm鈥檚 integrity, character, and strong belief in the value of public education, make him a model of service and an invaluable asset to our district. We are fortunate to benefit from his continuous leadership and remain deeply appreciative of all he has contributed and continues to contribute to the success of the Weedsport students."
He came onto the board with Gilchrist at the helm. Other superintendents he has sat alongside of include Topichak, Steven Hubbard, Richard Mabbett and Shaun O'Connor.
Of each individual, Chirco told me that every one of them was student-centered, understood that all that we did under the guise of what was best for the students, and had a deep love for Weedsport.
Chirco told me that, having been present at house closings for clients he represents, many would pay more money than a property is worth to get into the Weedsport Central School District.
He also told me that he has heard people say that it's as close to a private school as you can get within a public school setting.
Second grade teacher Karen Ashby told me that she has known Chirco as a steady leader and a friend. She continued by telling me that he has dedicated a vast amount of time and energy to his work on the board and for the district.
Stating that Chirco has her unwavering and complete support, she told me she has full confidence that his dedication will continue into the future, and she would personally like to thank him for his tireless efforts in assuring that our district remains the outstanding district that we have known during the entirety of his leadership.
Another colleague in our building, art teacher Melissa Beerman, told me that Chirco鈥檚 positivity, enthusiasm and genuine care for both students and staff have made a lasting impact in a community that he loves. She went on to say that we are blessed to have him offer another five years of service.
Chirco told me that every morning he breaks the record as being the individual who has been on our school board the longest, and he is humbled that people have reelected him for a seventh time.
Interestingly enough, Chirco is a graduate of Weedsport鈥檚 rival district, Port Byron, along with his brothers Joe and Ben and his sister Margaret. He has been able to not only remember and love his roots, but he has also been able to take that same passion and deliver it to a neighboring district to help it flourish for so many years.
Weedsport Junior Senior High School Principal Sherri Monell told me that Chirco's leadership on the board is defined not just by policy and governance, but by heartfelt connection. She mentioned a very well-received tradition that he does during each year he holds the position of president of the board. He takes the time to write personal notes to every staff member, and that has had "a lasting impact on the school community.鈥
Of this gentleman, I will say that both personally and professionally, it has been an honor and a distinct privilege to work within the district he has helped to shape for all these years.
He is a guiding force who brings care, compassion, continuity and consistency to all he does.
Whether it is moving from office to courthouse on foot or in a vehicle, preparing for a village meeting, or laboring intensely and thoroughly as he volunteers his quality time for the children and families within our district, Chirco's work ethic, passion, knowledge and follow-through are nearly impossible to match.
Whether he is a son, father, husband, friend, work colleague, legal counsel, litigator or community member, he goes all-in.
If you ever have the opportunity, please watch him tell a story or communicate an idea. You will become fascinated with the passion he has for either the topic, or the importance of its delivery.
I feel absolutely beyond blessed in so many ways to know this gentleman and his wonderful family. They are beyond special to me. I am glad I made the choice to call Weedsport my work home for these many years.
Norman J. Chirco has made a significant impact on us all.