Board of Education Meeting Highlights 2013/14

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    BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    REGULAR MEETING 
    JUNE 17, 2014
    • The following Hauppauge High School art students were recognized for their achievements at the Astoria Bank Accent in Art Competition: Allison Eng, Best in Show; Soobin Im, Judge’s Award; Michelle Gee, Third Place; Annie Lin, Fourth Place and Tommy O’Halleran, Honorable Mention Certificate.
    • Retiring Board of Education President Susan Hodosky and Trustee Geri Richter were commended for their service and dedication to the students of Hauppauge Schools.
    • The following retiring staff members were recognized for their many years of service and commitment to the District: Maris Albinder, Anne Bieler, Sandra Boynton, Janet Brienza, Diane Chandler, Janet Ciangetti, Nancy Ferrante, Sharon Gill, Karen Goldsmith, Gary Gumin, Olive Makris, Mary McGrory, David Mendes, Larry Richter, Michele M. Rothfeld, Patricia Siebel, Maria Terano and Beverly Vandergoot.
    • The New York State School Report Card classified all schools in the Hauppauge School District to be in “Good Standing.”
    • The Board appointed and welcomed Daniel Butler as the new Director of Physical Education, Athletics, Health, Recreation and Family & Consumer Science.
    • The next Board of Education Meeting will be the Organizational and Regular Meeting to be held on July 8, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
     
     BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    REGULAR MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING
    JUNE 3, 2014

    • Students from all three elementary schools were recognized for their achievements at the Brookhaven National Labs Elementary School Science Fair Competition. Hannah Fioramonti (Pines 5th grader) and Grant Faber (Forest Brook 3rd grader) both won 1st Place for their respective grades. Matthew Dolce (Bretton Woods 4th grader) and Brendan Graf (Pines 1st grader) both received Honorable Mentions for their projects.
    • Pines Elementary 4th grader Marcus Ballerini was recognized for receiving 1st Place in Photography in the National PTA Reflections Contest.
    • Tenure Recommendations: Upon recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Patricia Sullivan-Kriss, the Board awarded tenure to Science Teaching Assistant Christine Sammon.
    • Public Hearing - Veterans’ Tax Exemption: A public hearing was held and the Board approved the Alternative Veterans’ Exemption at its highest level. While the total tax levy collected from the community will remain the same, there will be a shift from veterans to non-veterans according to the guidelines of the New York Real Property Tax Law section 458-a. Click to view presentation.
    • Superintendent of Schools Patricia Sullivan-Kriss recognized two newly-elected members of the Board of Education - Mr. James Kiley and Dr. Lawrence Crafa. Mr. Kiley took office on May 20th after receiving the highest number of votes. Dr. Crafa will take office on July 1st. Mrs. Sullivan-Kriss expressed gratitude to Mrs. Geri Richter and Mrs. Susan Hodosky for their many years of service to the Board.
    • Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Joseph Tasman was appointed to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration beginning July 1, 2014.
    • Hauppauge Public Library Project – The Board approved a resolution calling a Special District Meeting to be held on October 7, 2014  (for Islip residents only). The vote will take place at the Hauppauge Public Library.  Click to open full resolution.  
    • The next Board of Education Meeting will be held June 17, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.


     BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    REGULAR MEETING & BUDGET HEARING
     MAY 13, 2014
    • High School L.O.T.E. (Languages Other Than English) students were recognized for their achievements on  national exams in the areas of French, German and Spanish.
    • High School students Candice Medina and Rebecca Proscia were recognized for their achievements at the 43rd Annual Spanish Poetry Contest at Hofstra University. Rebecca Proscia received 1st place in the “Published Poems: Non-Native Speakers” category. Candice Medina received 3rd place in the “Published Poems: Native Speakers” category.
    •  Tenure Recommendations: Upon recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Patricia Sullivan-Kriss, the Board awarded tenure to Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration Michele Rothfeld and Pines Principal Claudine DiMuzio.
    • Hauppauge High School has been named one of America’s Most Challenging High Schools by the Washington Post. Hauppauge ranks 607th in the nation and 51st of all high schools in New York State. The rigor of AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) coursework is calculated in this ranking.
    • The cohort of students seeking an IB diploma has tripled in enrollment for the 2014-15 school year.
    • Budget Hearing Presentation – Click here to open presentation.  Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations James Stucchio presented details of the proposed budget for the 2014-15 school year.
    • PASS Program Presentation – Click here to open presentation. High School Principal Christine O’Connor and Teacher Karen Goldsmith presented an overview of the Personal Academic Support Service Program for High School students. The program is designed to identify and assist students in jeopardy of graduating on time and to provide them with social, emotional and academic support.
    • District Treasurer’s Report -District Treasurer Michael Kearns provided an overview of the treasurer’s monthly reports to the Board.
    • Code of Conduct Presentation -Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration Michele Rothfeld presented the annual review of changes made to the District Code of Conduct.
    • Justin Block, Hauppauge Class of 1980, has been named the Distinguished Alumni for 2014. He will be recognized as part of the High School Commencement Exercise in June.
    • Veterans’ Tax Exemption: A Public Hearing is scheduled for June 3, 2014 during the Board Meeting at Whiporwil School.
    • The next Board of Education Meeting will be the Annual Meeting and School Budget Vote on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
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    BOARD OF EDUCAION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    REGULAR MEETING 
    APRIL 29, 2014
     
    • Athletic Field Dedication: The High School athletic field was named in honor of former Hauppauge teacher and coach Robert Druckenmiller. Mrs. Macaluso presented the dedication to Mr. Druckenmiller on behalf of the school board Naming Committee.
    •  Student athletes were recognized for their County and State Championship status. Jasmine, Davis, Winter Track; Chris Mauriello, Wrestling; Justin Plaschka, Nick Lauritano, Trevor Maida, Troy Maida and Phil Quartararo, Swimming and Diving; and Danielle Valenza, Volleyball.
    • Lillian Carey, Director of Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.) and Instructional Technology was recognized for her selection by the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT) as the recipient of the Remunda Cadoux Award for Leadership in Foreign Language Supervision.
    • Robert Wankmuller Director of Science, Technology and Research presented information about the High School’s Science Research Program. Please click here to open full presentation.
    • Lillian Carey, Director of Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.) and Instructional Technology presented an update on the Foreign Languages in Elementary School (FLES) Program and future plans for L.O.T.E. instruction. Please click here to open the full presentation.
    • Hauppauge High School Reward Status: For the third consecutive year, HHS has been named a Reward School by the New York State Department of Education. HHS is one of only ten schools in New York to be selected to present at the State level regarding our Social Emotional Literacy (SEL) program in an effort to be replicated by schools in need of improvement.
    • NYS Senator John Flanagan secured a $35,000 grant for Hauppauge Schools. It will be used to repair and update the science research room in the High School.
    • Veteran’s Exemption: The Board of Education and school administrators met with the Islip Assessor to ascertain information needed to present to the Board and community. The exemption will be discussed at the Board meeting on June 3, 2014.
    • The next Board of Education Meeting and Budget Hearing are scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at Whiporwil School.
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    BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    REGULAR MEETING AND BUDGET ADOPTION
    APRIL 8, 2014

    • The Budget revisions include the addition of a Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) course for the 6th grade curriculum.
    • The Board of Education voted to adopt the proposed budget  to be known as Proposition 1:
    That the Budget Estimate to be submitted to the voters and filed pursuant to law shall be the budget presented at the Budget Hearing to be held on May 13, 2014 in the total amount of $104,437,521 as set forth in the printed document entitled, “Proposed School Budget 2014/15,” and that the budget proposition as set forth in the published legal notice be placed on the ballot at the May 20, 2014 Annual Election.
    • The proposed tax levy increase of 2.14% is within the tax levy limit. It will preserve class size, continue District initiatives and maintain co-curricular offerings, including athletics and fine and performing arts.
    • The Board also voted to adopt the following resolution to be placed on the May 20, 2014 ballot to be known as Proposition 2: 
    Should the Board of Education of the Hauppauge Union Free School District be authorized pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law to appropriate and expend an amount not to exceed $665,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established by the District on May 19, 2009 for window replacement of two wings at Whiporwil together with all ancillary and related work and fees, including architects’ fees in connection therewith.
    • The next Board of Education Meeting and Budget Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at Whiporwil School.
     
    BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    BUDGET MEETING
    MARCH 25, 2014

    Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations James Stucchio and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Glen Eschbach presented the Instruction,Transportation and Undistributed Capital portions of the proposed budget. Please click here to open the full presentation.

    The final budget is scheduled to be adopted by the Board at the next Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at Whiporwil School.
     
     
     
    BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    BUDGET MEETING
    March 18, 2014
     
    Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations James Stucchio presented the General Support and Employee Benefits portions of the budget. Please click here to open the full presentation.
     
    The final budget workshop will take place on Tuesday, March 25th at 8:00 p.m. at Whiporwil School and will cover the instructional, transportation, and undistributed portions of the budget.
     
     
     
    BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
    BUDGET MEETING
    March 11, 2014 
    • Superintendent of Schools Patricia Sullivan-Kriss formally recommended that the Board remove the purchase of a K-8 science program from the proposed 2014/15 budget as well as the corresponding transportation changes. The State Education Department has delayed the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards which the science program addressed.

     

                          Included in the presentation were the following:

    • The proposed budget to budget increase is $2,391,090 or 2.35%
    • The proposed tax levy to tax levy increase is $1,842,898 or 2.32%
    • The budget is within the calculated tax levy limit of 2.32% 
    • The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) has reduced the amount of pledged state aid since 2009 and has shifted the burden to local school districts.
    • The Board approved a motion to audio-record the public portion of Board of Education meetings and commit to the policy committee the opportunity to put together a policy on this issue and bring it to the Board for approval.
    • The retirement of the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration, Michele Rothfeld was accepted.  She will retire August 31, 2014.
    • The State Education Department recently made a change to the 2014/2015 school calendar.  As a result of the change, Hauppauge Schools will be in session Thursday, May 21, 2015. The last day of school will now be Thursday, June 25, 2015 and High School Graduation will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015 as previously scheduled. Click here to download revised 2014/15 calendar.
    • March 9th and 10th were district lobby days in Albany.  Click to see the attached flyer presented to legislators from the Board and Superintendent of Schools.    
     
    Board of Education Meeting Highlights

    February 25, 2014

     

    ·         Gary Fortmeyer was presented with a certificate of recognition for achieving a milestone in his Board of Education professional development.

     

    ·         Superintendent of Schools Patricia Sullivan-Kriss presented the Board and community members with the proposed budget for the 2014/2015 school year. Click to download full presentation.  

    ·         Among the items included in the proposed budget are:

    • 0.5 teaching position for person finance literacy education
    • 2.0 teacher reduction due to lower elementary enrollment
    • Adjustments to bus and school start times
    • New K-8th Science program
    • Multi-year equipment purchase plan
    • Technology rewiring for the Middle School
    • Maintain current clubs, athletics and fine and performing arts activities

     Adjustments to bus and school start times proposed would offer a savings of $380,000 to the District in transportation costs which would offset anticipated increases expected in future transportation contracts.  The administration was asked by the Board of Education to investigate other possible schedules that would result in a similar savings.

     

    • The contract of the Superintendent of Schools, Patricia Sullivan-Kriss, was extended through June 2016.
    •  The Board discussed matters regarding the Veterans’ Tax Exemption.  The following resolution was approved: 
    That sometime between April 8, of this year and July 31, of this year that we hold a public hearing to solicit opinion from the community regarding the issue of the Veterans’ Tax Exemption.
     Board of Education Meeting Highlights

    February 11, 2014

     ·         The following members of the Board were presented with certificates of recognition for achieving milestones in their Board of Education professional development:  David Barshay, Susan Hodosky, Geri Richter, Ann Macaluso and Rob Scarito.

     ·         The Board of Education and Administration recognized the top students of the Class of 2014 for their commitment to excellence: Christopher Giuliano, Valedictorian; Alice Choi, Salutatorian; Nicholas Karavolias, 3rd; Brian Eng, 4th; Sarah Mackin, 5th; Katelyn Bryant, 6th; Varun Mehta, 7th; Maria Massimo, 8th; Prairie Broughton, 9th, Kristen Okorn, 9th, Jocelyn Aptowitz, 10th.

     ·         Congratulations to National Merit Finalists Brian Eng, Sarah Mackin and Varun Mehta for advancing to the finalist portion of this program.  Finalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm their performance on the PSAT.

     ·         Bretton Woods Career Ambassadors Loriann Connolly, Jake Divilio and Jalaj Mehta provided a sampling of the career presentations the entire 5th grade recently made to students in kindergarten-4th grade at Bretton Woods. The students researched and recited in-depth information about various career paths available.

     ·         Representatives from the Hauppauge Public Library Permanent Home Project spoke about the plans to build a new facility in Hidden Pond Park area. Click link for library website.