The following was submitted by the Syosset Board of Education
As part of our effort to keep members of the public informed of important matters, The Board of Education is pleased to provide the following updates:
Interviews have been conducted for the position of an Interim Superintendent. The designation of an Interim Superintendent will help provide the Board, faculty and students with the necessary guidance to assist our district in adjusting to the leadership change. The individual we choose will share our vision to maintain the district’s academic excellence. In addition, as a practical matter, the selection of an outstanding and experienced Interim Superintendent will provide the Board with the necessary time to conduct a search for and eventually hire the very best possible superintendent for our district.
The Board will be reviewing superintendent search firm proposals received and scheduling interviews with several firms before the end of August. It is vital that we select the most qualified firm to partner with in finding a superintendent with exemplary leadership who values teamwork, community involvement and fiscal responsibility.
After interviews with numerous law firms, Ingerman Smith LLP has been appointed as our legal and labor counsel for the 2013-2014 school year. We are confident that Ingerman Smith’s vast knowledge and expertise in all areas of educational law will be of tremendous benefit to our district. The top-rated firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP was also appointed to serve as bond counsel only for the 2013-2014 school year.
The Board is making serious effort to reconstruct the district website so it is accessible, easy to navigate, and a source for current pertinent information. We have added a section for the public to contact the board via email. In this section, individual trustee email addresses are located.
The Board is reviewing district policy on the issuance of facilities usage permits for fields/grounds/buildings by outside organizations. Our goal is for the process (from application through issuance) to assure equity among all groups seeking to obtain facilities usage permits.
Building restoration, as a result of extensive damage from Storm Sandy, continues. Contractors are near completion of the high school library roof. We were informed that structural issues regarding the high school pool roof will not be resolved by September. Although the pool will remain temporarily closed for safety concerns, provisional arrangements are being made to accommodate our swim teams.
Our next monthly Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, August 14, 8pm, Southwoods Auditorium. Another board initiative beginning this month is the opportunity to listen to the live broadcast of monthly meetings on WKWZ 88.5 FM Syosset High School Radio.
Looking ahead to September, The Board plans to have a presentation on recent test scores. After release of 2013 test results on August 7, Commissioner of Education King said “seeing a change in scores can be challenging for any parent, school, community, or state, but we know that where we are now only marks a beginning”.
As always, students will continue to be at the center of all decisions made by The Board. Please visit the district website in the next few weeks for more exciting news as we prepare to welcome back our students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators.
- Trustees of the Syosset Board of Education
Michael Cohen, April Neuendorf, Christopher Difilippo, Tracy Frankel, Robert Gershon, Joshua Lafazan, Susan Parker, Alan Resnick, Laura Schlesinger
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