Huntington School Briefs
The Huntington School District is holding a summer STEM enrichment program from July 14 through July 31 at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School. Participants will meet Monday through Friday each week from 9 a.m. to noon.
The goal of the program is to build interest and skill proficiency in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math through “high interest” hands-on activities. The program will include an emphasis on refining basic skills to help participants find success in secondary grade level science and math courses. Students will engage in collaboration, creative thinking and problem solving throughout the summer session.
Jump Start Summer Academy
The Huntington School District’s Jump Start Summer Academy is set for August 4-15. The program is being offered to incoming third through eighth grade English language learners. The goal of the program is to continue offering support in literacy skills through ESL methodology. The academy is funded by a Title III LEP grant. The program will run from 9:30-11:30 a.m. each day at Jefferson Primary School.
BOE Awards Bids
The Huntington School Board awarded numerous bids during its recent public meetings. The bids included ones covering:
• Refrigeration services: CJ Martin Enterprises, Inc. The labor cost will be $68 per hour between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and $75 per hour during other time periods. The district will receive a 15 percent discount off the catalog price for materials.
• Lumber supplies: Burt Lumber Co., East Islip Lumber Co. and Nassau-Suffolk Lumber & Supply Co.
• Refuse removal: Progressive Waste Solutions of Long Island at a cost of $80,390.
• Universal pre-kindergarten: The Family Service League was awarded 106 student slots; Developmental Disabilities Institute was awarded 18 slots.
• In-car driver education instruction: East Meadow Driving School at a cost of $225 per student.
• Computer repair: NPA Computers at a cost of $49,905.20.
• Electrical services: R&T Electric. Work performed by a licensed electrician will be billed at $92 per hour on Monday-Friday and $184 per hour on weekends and holidays. Work performed by apprentices will be billed on a sliding scale ranging from $14 per hour for an apprentice first term to $39 per hour for an apprentice sixth term.
• Integrated pest management: Bug Fighters at a cost of $280 per week for all schools. Emergency service within 2-24 hours will be billed at $80 per hour.
• Printing of district newsletter: Island Pro Digital was awarded the bid for a 2/2 color process four page publication at a cost of $875. Tobay Printing, Inc. were awarded the bids for the 2/2 color process for eight page ($1,760), 12 page ($2,495) and 16 page ($2,990) publications.
Donations Accepted
The Huntington School Board accepted a donation from Amy Lomele of Main Street Nursery of $250 worth of floral arrangements for use during the Class of 2014’s commencement exercises.
Trustees also accepted a donation from Flower Hill Primary School parents of a garden bench presented in honor of classroom teacher Claudia Mingin, who retired at the end of the 2013/14 school year. The bench is valued at $250.
Probationary Instructional Appointments
The Huntington School Board approved probationary teacher appointments for Katherine Castellano (elementary), Danielle Lusardi (chemistry, 7-12), Nicole Castaldo (music), and Maria Leon-Pineros (guidance and Kaitlyn Reyes (social studies, 7-12) Each teacher will be eligible for tenure on September 1, 2017.
Jessica Sears (guidance) and Adam Sherrard (physical education) were also given probationary appointments and will be eligible for tenure on September 1, 2016.
Samuel Austin was approved for a probationary teacher assistant appointment. He will be eligible for tenure on June 3, 2017.
Non-Instructional Appointments
Huntington School Board members have approved non-instructional appointments for teacher aide Sarah Meehan and custodians Timothy Hardy (high school/night shift) and Remi Domenick (Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School/night shift).
Leaves of Absence
Huntington School Board members have approved leaves of absence for the 2014/15 school year for elementary school teacher Heather Flaherty and J. Taylor Finley Middle School music teacher Deborah Harrington.
Retirements
Southdown/Jefferson Primary School librarian Ellen Blanchard and Huntington High School custodian Terrish McCoy retired at the end of the 2013/14 school year.
Small Increase for Lunch Prices
There will be a small increase in Huntington School District cafeteria prices for the 2014/15 school year. The price of breakfast is increasing 10 cents to $1.55. Lunch prices are also rising 10 cents on both the elementary ($2.30) and secondary ($2.65) levels. The price of milk will remain at 50 cents.
Huntington’s food service program is self-sustaining, necessitating the small increase in order to keep pace with rising costs.
BOE Approves Contract Extension
The Huntington School Board has approved a one year contract extension for Superintendent James W. Polansky. The contract will now run through June 30, 2019. The parties originally entered into an agreement on July 5, 2012.
Part-Time Instructional Appointments
The Huntington School Board has appointed Nancy Burke-Allard as a .6 K-2/K-6 data coordinator. Trustees also appointed Matthew Liguori as a .9 Earth science teacher at Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School.
Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Matthew Gelfer has been appointed a long-term substitute music/strings teacher at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. He will serve as Finley’s orchestra director during the 2014/15 school year.
Mr. Gelfer obtained a Bachelor of Music degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston in May 2005. Prior to coming to Huntington, he worked as a music teacher in the Middle Country School District since September 2011.
District officials reviewed 125 applications, pre-screened 36 candidates and conducted 11 interviews prior to recommending Mr. Gelfer for appointment.
Teachers Recalled
Huntington School Board members have recalled several teachers from the district’s preferred eligibility list. They had been previously excessed, but retained rights to their positions as per Section 3012 of New York State Education Law.
The recalled faculty members include elementary teachers Michelle Audia, Marilyn Broomer, Conrad Dierking, Doreen Ellis and Priya Mondkar.
Maria Oliva has been recalled as a study hall and hallway assistant. Penny Brown was reappointed as a teacher aide at Flower Hill Primary School.