Stephen B. Witt
Board Member
Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools
Whether in the board room or on the athletic field, Stephen B. Witt is a dedicated student advocate. Known for his good humor and gregarious nature, he is just as comfortable lobbying for legislative reform in Albany as he is coaching his favorite football, basketball and lacrosse teams to conference championships.
Witt’s first foray into public education came during his days at J.P. Morgan, when the bank was asked to start a school for underprivileged kids. For the next three years, Witt tutored students at the bank’s offices and became passionate about “watching someone learn.”
You might say the rest is history. Witt went on to serve several years as a PTA member and in 1984 joined the Hewlett-Woodmere School Board. He served until 1996 as both a member and vice president and returned to the board in 2003. As a result of his efforts on behalf of the students at Hewlett High School, he received the district’s Distinguished Service Award.
In addition, Witt has served on the Nassau BOCES Board since 1996, currently as district clerk and chairman of the Audit Committee. His commitment to public education is far reaching — he also served as president, vice president and treasurer of the Nassau–Suffolk School Boards Association and continues to serve on its Executive Committee. He was on the Board of Directors of the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and presently serves on its Investment Advisory Committee and as an ambassador representing Nassau County school districts. Also, he was a member of the State and Federal Legislative Network and authored several articles for On Board, NYSSBA’s newspaper.
In 1997, the governor of New York appointed Witt as the school board representative to the STAR Cash Flow Commission. In 2008, the Commissioner of Education appointed him to represent school board members on the Integrated Algebra Measurement Commission. He also has served on the Commissioner’s Advisory Council, Long Island Educational Coalition and Long Island Association’s Regional Advisory Board.
Witt received the Tri-M Honor Society’s Honorary Lifetime Membership Award, the Lifetime PTA Membership Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award presented by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. in finance from New York University. Now retired from J.P. Morgan and Citigroup, he coaches football, basketball and lacrosse at Hewlett High School and is a member of Peninsula Kiwanis, where he serves as the liaison to Hewlett High School’s Key Club.
