The retirements of two Warwick school administrators whose collective careers have spanned close to 80 years in the district were accepted Tuesday night by the Warwick School Committee with words of praise.

Lynn Dambruch, whose career started as a first grade teacher at Greene School in 1985, retired as superintendent. The committee named William McCaffrey, who has been serving as interim superintendent since Dambruch took a personal leave of absence earlier this year, as acting superintendent.

Dambruch was named principal of Robertson School in 1996, a post she held until 2014 when she became director of elementary education. In 2020 she was named assistant superintendent and superintendent the following year.

Patricia Cousineau, the director of elementary education, is looking forward to a retirement working full time with her husband, Bruce, on the business they started,  Blind Squirrel Sauces. Prior to becoming the director in 2022 she was the principal of Warwick Neck School.

Both women focused their careers on promoting learning and impacting students at young and formative ages. They were at the helm during the pandemic and its aftermath, which severely impacted schools and setback education.   

As assistant superintendent, Dambruch worked with her predecessor as superintendent, Philip Thornton, on the design of the new Pilgrim and Toll Gate High Schools to best address educational needs of today’s teaching.  She navigated the difficult time of downsizing the district with the closure of neighborhood elementary schools and later the consolidation from three to two junior and senior high schools.

McCaffrey said yesterday that Dambruch committed her whole life ‘to the success of the district. She was a colleague, friend and mentor.”

McCaffrey said Cousineau was proud of the Learn 365 program and her partnership with the Warwick Boys and Girls Clubs and connections with PTA programs.

“She is always student focused and concerned about student success,” he said. That was an observation echoed yesterday by Lara D’Antuono, director of the Boys and Girls Clubs.

“[I] never meet someone who was so dedicated and committed, every decision she made was in the best interest of the kids,” D’Antuono said. She called Cousineau an “unsung hero.”

Lisa Schultz, who talked about Cousineau at the Warwick School Committee Tuesday night, said Cousineau “helped move Warwick's scores in a positive direction and put protocols in place to train new and existing principals at the elementary level.  She is a visionary and is supportive to anyone who needs help. Patti is visible throughout the district, and students at every elementary school are excited to see her and joyful when sharing their learning with her.  She has the best interests of the students at heart, and I will miss working with her dearly.”

Yesterday, Cousineau said she didn’t seek out the position of director of elementary schools and was urged by her colleagues.  I have been honored to walk in her [Dambruch’s] footsteps,” she said.

Mayor Frank Picozzi remembers Dambruch from her days at Robertson School.

“She was great with kids and parents,” he said. “Dambruch created a great community at Robertson.” 

Recalling the Red Sox win in 2007, he said they crossed paths when they were both buying championship T-shirts. Dambruch was buying them for her staff.

“I didn’t see her again until I was mayor,” he said.

Lauren Slocum, president of the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce worked with Dambruch on voter approval of the $350 million bond to build the two new high schools.

“She really listened and wanted to know how to move forward,” said Slocum.

She said Dambruch is genuine and caring and focused “on a better future for all students.”

Dambruch in a call yesterday said she has “mixed emotions” about retirement.

Speaking of her colleague, she said, “Patti is full of energy, a hands-on leader who is innovative and a hard, hard worker…she truly made a difference.”

At Tuesday’s committee meeting, Darlene Netcoh, president of the Warwick Teachers Union and Mary Townsend, president of the Warwick Independent School Employees sang praises of both women as did committee members David Testa and Leah Hazlewood. Committee Chair Shaun Galligan elaborated on remarks he made in an email yesterday.

“Superintendent Dambruch has been an unwavering champion for our schools, and her retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era of leadership in Warwick. Her impact can be seen in every corner of our district, from improved academic outcomes and social-emotional support to stronger community partnerships and the construction of our new high schools. On behalf of the entire Warwick School Committee, I thank Lynn for her decades of service and extend our deepest gratitude for the integrity, compassion, and vision she brought to our school system every day,” he wrote.

In a text sent yesterday, former school committee chair Karen Bachus, called the two retirements a loss for Warwick schools. Bachus said Cousineau “knows her job and executes it with aplomb.” And for Dambruch, Bachus questioned whether she ever slept.

“She is on a mission 24/7 to improve our schools and the educational experience for all our students. Her singular dedication and devotion to the district are unmatched.”