Lynbrook BOE Honors Retirees

The Feb. 12 meeting of the Lynbrook Board of Education began on a festive note as the district recognized the high school music department staff and honored seven longtime staff members who will be retiring in June.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak acknowledged high school music teachers Alyssa White, Brian White and Barry Wyner for the excellence and enthusiasm that they inspire in their music students, and extra work they do to expose their students to enriching music experiences outside of the confines of the school.

Board of Education President Alicemarie Bresnihan recognized teachers Maria Tina Becker, Michele Bergsohn, Judith Broadhurst, Sherri Levin, Elizabeth Moseman and Donna Smith and school nurse Theresa Rein, who all submitted their resignations for the purpose of retirement. Neil Giordano, who submitted his retirement earlier in the year, was also acknowledged. All were praised for their years of dedicated service to the children of Lynbrook, and for the skill, caring and professionalism they brought to their jobs.

Members of the Strategic Planning Committee’s subcommittee on effective guidance and social work programs updated the board on their exploration of alternative high school options for students in grade 10-12. Guidance chairperson Laurie Mitchell informed the board about the Harriet Eisman School, Hewlett High School’s alternative high school program and several Nassau BOCES alternative high school programs.

The board passed a resolution that data on district students not be transmitted to InBloom or any other private third-party provider. The Board also put into place guidelines for state assessments that outlined procedures to be followed by students opting not to sit for exams.

After meeting extensively with the Lynbrook Police and Mayor’s office, Dr. Burak informed the Board and the community about the protocols that the police have put in place for communicating with the district in the event of an emergency. The police will establish person-to-person contact with her in the event that there is a bomb threat, if they are pursuing a suspected felon on foot or in a motor vehicle, or if there is a felon with a weapon in the vicinity of a district school. A chain of direct communication has been established in the event that police are unable to reach Dr. Burak.

As part of the superintendent’s report, Dr. Paul Lynch, assistant superintendent for finance, operations and information systems, presented a capital projects update. He announced that the bid for the North Middle bond project was officially opened on Feb. 6. Because of the long delay in receiving SEC approval for the plans, the project came in over budget. He will be recommending options to the board, which could included scaling back the scope of the project or taking more money from capital reserves. After settling on an option, the Board will have to present a proposition for voter approval as part of the budget vote on May 20.