It was a bittersweet moment Tuesday, June 17, when Peekskill Board of Education president Michael Simpkins said, “Goodnight Peekskill” for the last time as a member of the board.

The retiring board member was celebrated by community members, teachers, students, parents, administrators, and electeds for his 23 years of service and leadership in the Peekskill City School District.

Simpkins, a youth counselor at Lincoln Hall in Somers, was elected to serve on the Peekskill Board of Education in 2002. He served as vice president of the board in 2006, 2007, and 2017. Simpkins served as president of the board in 2008 and was elected again in 2024. 

The night of celebration was filled with a musical performance by the Hillcrest Elementary School orchestra, a video highlighting Simpkins’ career as well as his booming voice, and several proclamations and awards for Simpkins. 

“Nobody takes on the lead role, we have been a team,” Simpkins said. “And I’m so proud that we have had a consistent board who goes behind those doors and puts children first. And I hope that endeavor continues. I’m sure it will because I know the character of the board members that are on the board.”

Recognitions for Simpkins included proclamations from state Sen. Pete Harckham, City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith, as well as a citation from the New York State Assembly, a plaque from the Westchester Putnam School Board Association, and a certificate from staff, administrators, students, and parents.

Smith, a former board member who served with Simpkins, announced that  Wednesday, June 18, would be named “Michael J. Simpkins Day” in Westchester County and that a jumbotron at the White Plains County Center would run his name all day.

“Some of the words that come to mind when I think of Michael are genuine, wears his heart on his sleeve, loves people, and has compassion,” Smith said. “You lead with dignity, with humility. You’re very thoughtful and you have all the qualities of a real leader. And I know because I’ve been by your side at some of those times you’ve led through tough times here in Peekskill.”

Jacqueline Simpkins, a commissioner on the Peekskill Housing Authority Board and wife of Simpkins, said her husband always made sure not to miss a school board meeting and is a humble man of integrity.

“He does not go around boasting about what he does,” Jacqueline said. “He just does it from the heart, and that’s a genuine spirit. And I want to thank you guys for having him for 23 years. I know if he could do 23 more, he would stay… I’m sure he’s going to pick up his mantle and do something else. This is just the end of one journey and the beginning of another.”

Board trustee Branwen McDonald shared others’ high praise of Simpkins, saying she has been able to learn much from him from her eight years on the board with him.

“Your presence on the board has been so calm and powerful and quiet, but you speak up at the right time, and your base of knowledge has just been so invaluable,” McDonald said. “You listen, and then when it’s time, you say that one thing, or you ask that one question that conveys the history that you have here, and the thoughtfulness that you have put in.”

Shawna Robinson, a security guard at the Peekskill City School District, said Simpkins was not just a board member, but a human being that has compassion. She shared a memory in which Simpkins went out of his way to visit her parents in South Carolina when he as there visiting relatives. 

“My dad wasn’t well, so to have someone from Peekskill, New York, drive to Greenwood, South Carolina, take the time out of his day to visit my parents, meant the world to them,” Robinson said. “[My mom] was so excited that she couldn’t wait to share. So that’s the type of person he is, and that’s the person who we’re losing.”

Simpkins remains a trustee of the Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES Board of Education, which represents Peekskill, of which a cohort of 641 students from the Covid-19 pandemic recently graduated.

Asked by Board Vice President Allen Jenkins to name three highlights on his time on the board,  Simpkins said helping to build a foundation allowing for students to graduate with at least 24 college credits, the construction of the middle school which opened in  and continuing to employ teachers, principals, teacher aids, custodians, who play a major role in the overall environment of the district because they care about kids are some of the highlights from his 23-year tenure. 

“I thank each and every one of you for bending over backwards, not setting your clock to a certain time,” Simpkins said. “It has been a never ending commitment to our kids, and that is why our school district is in the position that it is in today. It’s because we cared about our kids.”

Simpkins thanked the former and late Superintendent of Schools Judith Johnson for giving him another perspective about how important it was to lay the foundation for children.

“She would always open up the meeting with, ‘how are the children?’” Simpkins recalled. 

“The superintendent’s office, (the engine) has changed in our airplane many times, and we have been blessed with superintendents who took the mantle and continued the work. And I’m so proud that I’ve been able to work under five superintendents and each and every one of them brings a new perspective for me to learn from.”

Simpkins commended current Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Mauricio and said he will always be there to support him and the district.

“I’m a telephone call away,” Simpkins said. “You’re not going to have to call me. You might see me in the back or the corner. But I will be here in the midst, continue to supporting our children.”

The video highlighting Simpkins career was put together by the school district’s television program director Douglas Bron and videos provided by Communications Director Laura Belfiore. It can be viewed here.

Board also bids a farewell to trustee Eric Rekeda

The Peekskill Board of Education is not only losing its president, but Board Trustee Eric Rekeda.

Rekeda, a secondary mathematics teacher in Greenburgh, was elected to a three-year term in 2022 and chose not to run for re-election to spend more time with his children.

“I can’t possibly serve for 23 years, but it was certainly an honor to serve with you for three years,” Rekeda said to Simpkins. “And I won’t be going anywhere, so I’ll still be involved… I will remember these three years fondly.”

Trustee McDonald recalled back in 2022 when the community did not initially have someone to step up to be on the board. Rekeda then decided to step up, despite being a busy middle school teacher and father, McDonald said.

“It’s amazing when we have a member like Mr. Simpkins who can be here for 23 years. It’s also amazing when we have a member of the community who’s willing to step up and step in when they’re needed,” McDonald said. “We so appreciate your time, your knowledge, your wisdom. Being on the board here with us, you’ve just been such a voice of reason.”

Trustee Jenkins shared McDonald’s sentiment, saying Rekeda offered a valuable perspective of someone with a teaching background.

“Even though you’re coming from another district, it still provided us with some insight on how we should be looking at certain things,” Jenkins said. “And we very much appreciated your time and effort because you did have a lot of outside commitments. And I just thank you for sacrificing those three years and stepping up to the plate.”

In closing, Simpkins thanked parents for entrusting both himself and Rekeda with their children.

“We are sure that this board will continue to do great work, and we will be there to support them in any way that we can,” Simpkins said. “So tonight, I’d like to say, have a pleasant evening and goodnight Peekskill.”