Huntington School Board Notes
During its public meeting this past Monday night, Huntington School Board members honored the 2012 Blue Devil marching band. Trustees and about 150 audience members watched a videotape of the band's performance in the New York State Field Band Conference championships held earlier this fall in Syracuse. The Blue Devils placed third in their division.
Superintendent James W. Polansky presented a detailed preliminary overview of the 2013/14 school budget and how it will be impacted by the state tax levy cap. Early estimates indicate the district could have to reduce its rollover budget expenses by nearly $1.3 million next year's budget to meet the tax cap requirements.
The district's annual external audit was presented by Jill S. Sanders, CPA of Cullen & Danowski, LLP, who explained the audit process and reviewed the firm's findings. "This district has a very good internal control structure in place," Ms. Sanders said. "The district is in very good condition."
Trustees approved updated district policies on Transportation of Students (5710) and Student Transfers within the District (7133). A timeline for the annual budget vote and trustee election was also approved.
Trustees also took the following actions:
• Authorized J. Taylor Finley Middle School special education teacher Krista Fee to return from a leave of absence effective December 12.
• Accepted the resignation of J. Taylor Finley Middle School special education office clerical worker Demetra Doscas, effective December 7. She accepted a position in another district.
• Approved Ryan Walter to work as a long-term substitute part-time music teacher at Woodhull Intermediate School through the end of the school year.
• Approved Thomas Massone to work as a long-term substitute science teacher at Huntington High School through approximately December 21.
• Approved Marilyn Broomer to work as a long-term substitute classroom teacher at Washington Primary School through approximately February 27.
• Approved Christine Amodeo to work as a long-term substitute librarian at Washington and Flower Hill Primary Schools through approximately March 15.
• Approved Peggy Gallagher to work as a long-term substitute librarian at Woodhull Intermediate School through approximately January 3.
• Approved Guilia Marino and John Patrick Murphy to work as piano accompanists on an as-needed basis during 2012/13 at a rate of $24 per hour.
• Approved Timothy Flick to work as a computer programmer at the varsity wrestling tournament on December 8 at a rate of $31.70 per hour.
• Approved Ignatius Asaro and Michelle Martin to work as PSAT proctors during 2012/13 at a rate of $48.97 per hour.
• Approved the addition of Allison Greenstein and Anna Schiliro to the district's substitute teacher list. They will be paid $90 per diem on an as-needed basis.
• Authorized Lisa Haas to work as a substitute teacher aide. She will be paid $9 per hour on an as-needed basis.
• Authorized Henry Clemmens to work as a substitute security guard. He will be paid $11.45 per hour on an as-needed basis.
• Approved post-season pay for varsity head coaches Kathleen Wright, Steven Muller, John Pagano, Christopher Helmke, Jamie Fishlow and Shawn Anderson. They were each paid $132.75 for each of the days they were approved to work.
• Approved post-season pay for varsity assistant coaches Catherine Ruggiero, James Byrnes, James McCabe, Ron Wilson, Michael Bifulco, Jason Suarez and Margaret McConnell. They were each paid $103.29 for each of the days they were approved to work.
• Appointed Travis Smith as the J. Taylor Finley Middle School assistant wrestling coach. He will be paid based upon a pro-rated 29-day season.
• Appointed Robert Polizzo and Vincent Morello as the head coach and assistant coach, respectively, of the Huntington High School spring crew team.
• Appointed Nicole Bass as the assistant junior varsity girls' lacrosse coach at Huntington High School.
• Appointed Leyland Davis as the J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys' lacrosse blue-team head coach.
• Authorized CPSE Chairperson Renee Jones Vaughans to receive reimbursement for district related travel between buildings.
• Approved a resolution/stipulation of settlement and general release to resolve an employee grievance.
• Approved a contract with Our Lady of Peace Academy at Montfort Therapeutic Residence in Port Jefferson for the education of a student who is a resident of the Huntington School District.
• Approved a field trip for the Huntington High School Highsteppers competitive dance team to the National Dance Alliance national championships on March 8-11.
• Approved a contract with The Summit School in Jamaica for the education of a child with a handicapping condition who is a resident of the Huntington School District.