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Image provided by: Suffolk Cooperative Library System
Lillian Brueggemann's perspective crosses the board Former BOE member, secretary is full-time student, life-long learner BY ELISE PEARLMAN Lillian Brueggemann is probably best known for the 15 years she spent as a school board trustee for the Northport-East Northport School District. Deeply com- mitted to serving the needs of students, staff, and the community, it can be said that perhaps she knows these groups' concerns better than most. Nat only did Brueggemann and her three sons gradu ate from the district, butshe also served as a district exec- utive secretary for 28 years and is enrolled as a \post- graduate adult student\ at Northport High School Brueggemann has lived here for more than 60 years and attended high school when Laure} Avenue School still housed both the junior and senior high schools Although Brueggemann had hoped to attend college on a scholarship, she chose to stay home and care for her fam ity when her mother became ill ily funeral home. In additionto his concern for local res- idents in their time of need, he is chairman of the state disaster commission and a member of the national disas- ter commussion, which stepsin during catastrophes such as the crash of Flight 800, the September 11, 2001 terror- ist attacks, and Hurricane Katrina. As a high school student, Brueggemann remembered passing the office of the school superintendent's secre- tary, never dreaming that she would one day fill thisrole. In 1977 she began a 28-year career in this coveted posi- tion, serving as confidential secretary to the superinten- dent of schools and executive secretary of the school dis- ict for four superintendents, including Bemhard Schneider, Joseph Gnimes, Fenwick English, and Wilharmn Brosnan. In 1989. Brueggemann retired from this posituon She was approached to run for school board Brueggemann and her husband. Robert. married during WW II. She then supported him while he attended school. The couple eventually opened Brueggemann's Funeral Home in East Northport, a family-owned and operat- Movers & Shakers seal and was elected in 1990, eventually serving five three-yearterms. As a trustee. Brueggemann said that she faced difficult decisions that required \balancing the needs of students with those of the com- ed establishment serving the communi- ty since 1961. Brueggemann credits her ability to compromise while serving on the school board to the 56 wonderful years that she spent with her husband, who won the commu- ty's respect with his compassionate attention to grieving families. Robert died in 2003. Their three sons are involved in service-related occu- pations. Brueggemann credits the school district. saying. *The kids had a very good education. It gave them a good sense of right and wrong.\ The eldest, David works as an intensive care unit nurse in the Midwest. Dennis lives in Panama. directing the Special Olympics throughout South and Central America. The youngest, Douglas, whom Brueggemann described as \very much like his father,\ directs the fam- “J w* 'the, I Mention This Ax h 5 Ad for LIMITED SMCES STILL AVAILABLE FOR OUR FALL SESSION... munity\ and \meetings which fasted until 2.30 am.\ She remembered the 1991 debate. which revolved around the closing of Middleville Road Middle School due to massive cuts in state aid. Last May, Brueggemann was narrowly defeated for re-elecuon by four vates. She plans to run in the next election and still attends board meetings. Around the time that Brueggemann became chool! board member, she enrolled as a post graduate student at Northport High School, with the goals of \stretching her mind and connecting with the students.\ \I started with courses in art and fashion design tow get my feet wet.\ she said, and later branched into social studies and accounting classes. Her hard work and deter- mination has earned her distunction as an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Honors, with 40 courses to her credit. Brueggemann indicated that even while she was a U Pheto by Elise Pearmar Ltkan Brueggemann prepanng for classes in one of hes favorite places. the library at Northport High School whool board member, she was treated the same as an~ other student Her course load is tar from easy she sand and she has won her fellow students respect by making the \five day a week commutment ~ Brueggemann has taken eight years of an «lasses. including AP courses. and has tmed her hand at ouls sculpture, watercolors, pastels. and peneil draw ings Her portfolio of onginal pieces was evaluated by the AP College Board and scored a S. the highest possible grade As an assignment for her international law class. 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