Huntington School Board Notes
Huntington School Board members honored numerous award winning science research program students from Huntington High School prior to an April 1 meeting of the trustees. The teenagers were introduced by teacher Dame Forbes, who outlined some of the group's recent achievements.
Trustees also recognized champion wrestlers, swimmers and track and field athletes. Coaches Kieran Mock, Gil Smith and Ron Wilson spoke about each team member, reviewing their accomplishments. The honorees included sophomore swimmer Gunther Cassell, who won his second consecutive state title and earned All-American honors.
Superintendent James W. Polansky later made a presentation related to revenue assumptions in the 2013/14 school budget currently under review by trustees. As a result of a substantial increase in state aid over Governor Cuomo's initial proposal, the district has avoided the need to make an additional $340,000 in cuts to programs. The needed appropriation from the district's fund balance to keep the tax rate down was also scaled back.
Trustees also took the following actions:
• Approved the retirement of Elizabeth Troffa, secretary to the superintendent and district clerk, effective at the close of business on June 30.
• Accepted a generous donation from the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians to the Blue Devil marching band in the amount of $800. "This money is given in appreciation for the band's performance in the Huntington St. Patrick's Day parade," said Sam Gergis, assistant superintendent for business. "It will be deposited in the Huntington High School band student activity account and used for specific student marching band needs."
• Granted a leave of absence to maintenance mechanic Robert Norton, effective April 3 through approximately May 28.
• Approved the retirement of Huntington High School science teacher Rosanne Brienza, effective July 1.
• Approved a leave of absence for district driver/messenger Samantha White, effective January 4 through approximately March 31.
• Approved the retirements of Southdown School teacher aide Evelyn Babyak and Washington School teacher aide Carol Ann Sinatra, effective June 22.
• Approved Michael Fabio to serve as a volunteer assistant coach with the varsity spring crew team.
• Approved the retirement of special education department principal clerk Charlene Treffeisen, effective at the close of business on August 31.
• Approved the retirement of Southdown School clerk typist Annette Naldi, effective at the close of business on June 28.
• Approved a leave of absence for Woodhull School special education teacher Allison Curtain, effective April 26 through approximately June 7.
• Approved the retirement of Huntington High School custodial worker Clinton Schoeneman, effective at the close of business on June 29.
• Appointed Debbie McCready to work as a 10-month senior clerk typist at Huntington High School, effective April 16.
• Appointed Peggy Gallagher as a long-term substitute librarian at Woodhull Intermediate School through approximately April 15.
• Appointed Sumitra Sra as a long-term substitute school psychologist at Huntington High School, effective April 3 through approximately June 30.
• Approved a leave of absence for Huntington High School special education aide Juanita Turner, effective March 11 through approximately May 6.
• Approved Christine Amoedeo to work as a long-term substitute librarian at Flower Hill and Washington primary schools through approximately May 13.
• Approved post-season pay for Huntington High School coaches Brian Carey, Tim Madden, Mike Kaplan, Marissa Bergmann, Gil Smith, Margaret McConnell, Kieran Mock, Peter Fusco and Travis Smith.
• Approved of the disposal of hundreds of pieces of old computer related equipment.
• Approved additional work for teacher Eileen Gonzalez and teacher aide Pina Keane in the after-school English language learner program at J. Taylor Finley School, effective April 8 through May 9 for 10 one-hour sessions. Their stipends will be covered by a Title III LEP/ELL grant.
• Authorized the disposal of two unusable/broken metal serving carts. The items will be added to the district's surplus bid list.
• Approved health and welfare services contracts with the Glen Cove City School District and the Hicksville and Westbury school districts.
• Approved a consultant services contract with Mad Science for elementary grade level science workshops.
• Approved a contract with People's Power & Gas.
• Approved a contract with SCOPE Education Services for a before and after school child care program during the 2013/14 school year. SCOPE will pay the district a $900 license fee.
• Approved a computer sales contract with Sycamore International, Inc. of Landenberg, PA. Sycamore will purchase laptop and desktop computers, monitors, mobile phones and other electronic devices that the district selects for sale. Sycamore will either refurbish or recycle the equipment.
• Approved additional work for teacher Nancy Allard, secretary Rita Carino and teacher aides Anna Naccarato and Paula Ferraiolo related to the scoring of New York State tests. Mrs. Allard was authorized to work up to five days; Mrs. Carino was approved for up to 10 days of work and Ms. Naccarato and Ferraiolo were both authorized to work up to six hours. Their stipends are funded through a Title IIA grant.