Zuro resigns amid undisclosed health issue

by Judy Stringer

July 18 school board meeting

Hudson City School Board President David Zuro submitted his resignation, effective Aug. 1.

He made the announcement in a letter that read in part, “When I ran for my board of education seat in November, I did so with every intention of serving the entire term if re-elected; however, due to recent unanticipated personal health developments, at the advice of my primary care physician, along with the encouragement and support of my family, I am reluctantly submitting my resignation.”

Zuro has been a member of the board since 2010 and has been president since 2011. He thanked the community for the opportunity to serve on the board and, after reading the letter, stated that he was “proud to have played at least a small part in being the steward of such a fine school district.”

Board members Steve DiMauro and James Field accepted Zuro’s resignation with DiMauro noticeably broken up while expressing his gratitude to Zuro. Board members Alisa Wright and Tom Tobin were absent from the meeting.

Interim Superintendent Steve Farnsworth said Zuro will be remembered most for his kindness and “taking the high road in the face of some of the most extreme challenges that this district has faced.”

Those interested in filling the vacancy should contact Treasurer/CFO Phillip Butto, according to a HCSD July 19 post.

The board also passed several resolutions related to salary and benefit increases. District administrators and support staff will get a 3.5% raise. Three individuals, including the HCER director, HCER program coordinator and supervisor of business and nutrition services, will also see a bump in their salary grade.

In addition, the board approved an increase to the amount of the retirement account contribution it “picks up,” or pays, on behalf of the district’s administrators. Currently the board picks up 10% of those payments. That will increase to 11%, beginning Aug. 1, and by another 1% each year for the following three years.

Finally, it passed a resolution that gives eligible employees who have accumulated more than 20 unused vacation days a one-time opportunity to cash those in.

Farnsworth said that over the last two years many administrators and support staff were not able to use their allotted vacation days due to the pandemic. ∞