During a reception in her honor, board President Jerome Kearns pulled a “Congratulations” banner down from above the Community Room. It revealed silver letters declaring it the Catherine D. Milligan Community Room.
“I am so grateful to the board for this honor,” said a teary-eyed Milligan, who will hand over the reigns to Assistant Superintendent Paul Otten at the end of July. It has been four years since she came on as the interim superintendent to keep the district running as it searched for a new leader. That temporary role turned into a three-year contract.
The room, she said, has special significance because it is a place where decisions are made, new teachers are welcomed, people are celebrated and community members gather.
The board followed its presentation with a motion to name the room in her honor.
“Forever, as long as this building is standing when folks come into this room they’ll remember Cathy’s name and the service she provided to us and our students,” Vice President Dan Murray said.
Milligan said it was the perfect gift.
“I’m deeply grateful,” she said. “There’s not any other way that you could imagine that would touch me as much as this has, so thank you very much.”
The board also presented Milligan with a Golden Apple award inscribed with a quote from Murray, who said at a previous meeting that Milligan had saved the district during a time of transition and uncertainty.
“We’re going to miss you, but you’ll be around,” Murray said. “The red running through your veins is Fairfield.”
Board member Balena Shorter added, “I’ve just had an overwhelming sense of what leadership tempered with grace and strength looks like. You’ve modeled that.”
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