Hot Topics at Lynbrook School Board Meeting

The Lynbrook Board of Education met at Lynbrook High School on Wednesday to discuss a range of issues pertaining to the district.
   
Those topics included how the county budget will impact Lynbrook schools, a discussion about possibly getting a turf field for the district, and guest speakers talking how the district could plan for upcoming years.
   
Strategic planning
   
Two education experts made a presentation to the school board, stressing the importance for the district to develop a long-term strategic plan for Lynbrook schools.

Planning is more important than ever, the experts explained, as schools are facing a possible reduction in state aid and changing state and national mandates on education.

The board now has to designate a strategic planning committee — which can be comprised of school board members, residents, PTA — and take five to six months to organize a plan. The cost of developing such a plan would be approximately $40,000, the experts explained, half of which can be aided by Nassau BOCES.

Turf fields

The board has had some discussion about possibly getting a turf field for the district, if the price is right in an upcoming budget season.

Lynbrook Superintendent Dr. Santo Barbarino said that the district has put together a committee to research the plan. The committee has already visited some schools with turf fields and plans to look at more in the near future.

Barbarino said there will be more news about plans for the turf field early next year. "We are hoping to have a report prepared for the board after the holidays," he said.

Changes in graduation requirements?

Barbarino also touched on information released by the New York State Department of Education, which includes a suggestion to possibly raise graduation requirements and passing scores for Regents exams.

Specific details were not available as of press time, but Barbarino said the passing grade on Regents exams may be raised from 65 to 70. He acknowledged that these measures have not been adopted by the state, but described the suggested changes as "a pretty dramatic draft." He also said the board would be sure to look into the draft before any decisions were made by the state.

Officials to address West End test scores

The board announced that Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Gerard Beleckas and Elementary Coordinator Allison Curran will be at Thursday's West End PTA meeting to discuss the low tests scores received by many students at the school.

That meeting will be held at 7:30 at West End School.

County budget

A story on the effects of the county budget will appear as a separate story later today.