Huntington School Board Notes
Huntington School Board members discussed the district's calendar for the 2013/14 year during their meeting this past Monday night in the Jack Abrams School auditorium. Apparent changes in state testing dates has led district to reconsider their previously adopted calendars for next year.
Superintendent James W. Polansky made a presentation related to the state's tax levy limit and what it means for the 2013/14 school year budget. Trustees also discussed the district's bus mileage limits for student transportation.
Trustees accepted a donation from the Huntington Special Education PTA in the amount of $6,793.24 to support 11 different mini-grants submitted by teachers in the district. A donation of $3,444.73 from the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education to support eight different mini-grant awards made to faculty members was also accepted.
Trustees also took the following actions:
• Approved a budget transfer from physical education supplies to interscholastic "other" in the amount of $4,000 to cover the cost of winter and spring officials' (referees) fees as assessed by Section XI.
• Accepted the resignation of part-time Huntington High School art teacher Devin Aurricchio, effective February 22.
• Approved the retirement of Woodhull Intermediate School Principal Mary Stokkers, effective on or about February 1, 2014.
• Appointed Kim Valerio as a part-time art teacher assigned to Huntington High School, effective February 20.
• Approved a long-term substitute appointed for Erica Beggs, who will be filling in for Bernadette Walsh at the Huntington High School college advisor, effective approximately March 18.
• Approved a long-term substitute appointment for Melissa Goldsborough. She will work as a special education teacher at Jefferson School, effective approximately January 28 through May 6.
• Approved a long-term substitute appointment for Peggy Gallagher, who is working as the librarian at Woodhull Intermediate School. Her currently approved appointment runs through approximately March 4.
• Appointed Camille DeCanio and Bernadette Walsh as advisors for the Huntington High School career internship program.
• Appointed reading teachers Nicole Parrett and Louise Sugrue to the early morning reading program staff at Jefferson School.
• Authorized Rae Montesano, Angela Berner, DonnaMarie O'Shaughnessy, Kimberly Schiller and Lauren Amendola to teach professional development classes during the 2012/13 school year.
• Authorized teachers Miriam Engle and Arlette Hall-Connolly to provide dual language program parent meetings during the 2012/13 school year.
• Approved a one-year extension of retirement award eligibility for Southdown School Principal Michelle Marino, effective June 30, 2014.
• Authorized the addition of Sarah Acton, Erica Beggs and Megan Doyle to the district's substitute teacher list. They will be paid $90 per diem when their services are required. Also authorized Ms. Acton to work as a substitute teacher aide at a rate of $9 per hour on an as needed basis.
• Approved a health and welfare services agreement with the Farmingdale Union Free School District for the 2012/13 school year.
• Approved a consultant services contract with Lorraine Lupinskie who will mentor Huntington School District teachers seeking National Board certification. Ms. Lupinskie will be paid $1,100 per session, which includes group and individual meetings. A session will be the equivalent of a six-hour day.
• Approved an overnight field trip for Huntington High School senior Collin Richardson. He has been invited to perform with the All-State and All-County jazz bands in Albany for state legislators as part of Music in Our Schools Month. He will depart on March 3 at 7 a.m. and return on March 5 at 2 p.m. Mr. Richardson will travel with other Suffolk musicians participating in the event.
• Approved memorandums of agreement with the bargaining units for district teachers, aides, buildings and grounds staff, clerical workers and school nurses related to previously scheduled vacation time being utilized to make-up for missed instructional time as a result of Superstorm Sandy.
• Approved facilities use requests submitted by Downtown Sports League, Kins Free Foundation & Community Sports and United Methodist Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor Church.
• Approved the use of Jack Abrams School as an emergency evacuation site for Tri-Community & Youth Agency (Tri-CYA).
• Approved an early childhood education internship program agreement with Western Suffolk BOCES. Students at LA Wilson Technological Center will engage in the internship at Washington Primary School.
• Approved a series of eight resolutions in which trustees determined that proposed building improvements at each of the district's buildings are Type II actions under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act.
• Approved a consultant contract with the Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center in East Northport.