The Lynbrook Board of Education approved eight tenure candidates and two retirements during its June 10 virtual meeting. Board members and administrators also shared important updates with the community throughout the evening. 

Tenure candidates included Principal of West End Elementary School Dr. Cindy Lee and Lynbrook staff members Nicole Ferri, Colleen Kiss, Rebecca Krieger, Kimberly Leonard, Johanne Lochard-Gaddy, Michelle Puglisi and Corinne Teichman. The candidates were congratulated by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak who wished them many years of success. In addition, the board approved the retirement of teacher Marianna Flannery and school nurse Patricia Harmon. The board thanked both staff members for their dedication and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavors. 

During new business, Board President William Belmont reminded the community of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s extension to mail in their absentee ballots for the budget vote by June 16 at 5 p.m. This followed with a report from Dr. Burak. Each June, the district honors staff members who go above and beyond with the You Go the Distance Award. This year, the award was presented to Kindergarten Center teacher Jessica Eitingon, English as a New Language chairperson Madelyn Torres, Instructional Technology Coordinator Neil McDermott and the entire Lynbrook North Middle School staff, under the leadership of Principal Sean Fallon. Dr. Burak praised the recipients for their positive contributions to the district. 

During her report, Dr. Burak also updated the community on the district’s committee that is exploring possible options for school reopening in the fall. Although the district is still awaiting guidance from Gov. Cuomo regarding what the 2020-2021 school year will look like, a committee featuring several subcommittees was formed to prepare the district for what may be to come. With Long Island entering Phase 2, Dr. Burak announced a Phase 2 of the committee which would focus on a possible hybrid model for student learning if it is needed. This means students would follow a blend of in-person and remote model of schooling. The committee would explore areas such as instruction, transportation, facilities, health protocols and extracurriculars. 

Dr. Gerard Beleckas, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment, provided a curriculum update. The Learning Management System Committee made a decision that if remote learning continues in the fall, the district plans to utilize the platform Seesaw for grades K-3 and Schoology for grades 4-12. These learning management systems will allow for increased communication between the school and home and provide more organization for student work.

Dr. Paul Lynch, assistant superintendent for finance, operations, and information systems, shared a district safety plan update. He explained that a districtwide health and safety committee meets several times a year to monitor a safety plan for the district. Together, they monitor and draft a health and safety plan which needs the approval of the board of education. After review, it will be posted on the district website for the public to view and offer feedback. The plan is expected to be adopted at the August board meeting. Building level committees also meet to discuss the details further and pinpoint exact actions in the case of an emergency. 

In addition, Dr. Lynch provided a capital projects update. He reported that progress is being made on the bond work at Lynbrook High School and on the Waverly Park elevator, and the air conditioning projects at Marion Street and West End schools will be starting soon. The district has also adopted bids for this summer’s projects. This includes the Lynbrook High School roofing project and the Lynbrook North Middle School girls restroom.  
The Lynbrook Board of Education approved eight tenure candidates and two retirements during its June 10 virtual meeting. Board members and administrators also shared important updates with the community throughout the evening. 

Tenure candidates included Principal of West End Elementary School Dr. Cindy Lee and Lynbrook staff members Nicole Ferri, Colleen Kiss, Rebecca Krieger, Kimberly Leonard, Johanne Lochard-Gaddy, Michelle Puglisi and Corinne Teichman. The candidates were congratulated by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak who wished them many years of success. In addition, the board approved the retirement of teacher Marianna Flannery and school nurse Patricia Harmon. The board thanked both staff members for their dedication and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavors. 

During new business, Board President William Belmont reminded the community of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s extension to mail in their absentee ballots for the budget vote by June 16 at 5 p.m. This followed with a report from Dr. Burak. Each June, the district honors staff members who go above and beyond with the You Go the Distance Award. This year, the award was presented to Kindergarten Center teacher Jessica Eitingon, English as a New Language chairperson Madelyn Torres, Instructional Technology Coordinator Neil McDermott and the entire Lynbrook North Middle School staff, under the leadership of Principal Sean Fallon. Dr. Burak praised the recipients for their positive contributions to the district. 

During her report, Dr. Burak also updated the community on the district’s committee that is exploring possible options for school reopening in the fall. Although the district is still awaiting guidance from Gov. Cuomo regarding what the 2020-2021 school year will look like, a committee featuring several subcommittees was formed to prepare the district for what may be to come. With Long Island entering Phase 2, Dr. Burak announced a Phase 2 of the committee which would focus on a possible hybrid model for student learning if it is needed. This means students would follow a blend of in-person and remote model of schooling. The committee would explore areas such as instruction, transportation, facilities, health protocols and extracurriculars. 

Dr. Gerard Beleckas, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment, provided a curriculum update. The Learning Management System Committee made a decision that if remote learning continues in the fall, the district plans to utilize the platform Seesaw for grades K-3 and Schoology for grades 4-12. These learning management systems will allow for increased communication between the school and home and provide more organization for student work.

Dr. Paul Lynch, assistant superintendent for finance, operations, and information systems, shared a district safety plan update. He explained that a districtwide health and safety committee meets several times a year to monitor a safety plan for the district. Together, they monitor and draft a health and safety plan which needs the approval of the board of education. After review, it will be posted on the district website for the public to view and offer feedback. The plan is expected to be adopted at the August board meeting. Building level committees also meet to discuss the details further and pinpoint exact actions in the case of an emergency. 

In addition, Dr. Lynch provided a capital projects update. He reported that progress is being made on the bond work at Lynbrook High School and on the Waverly Park elevator, and the air conditioning projects at Marion Street and West End schools will be starting soon. The district has also adopted bids for this summer’s projects. This includes the Lynbrook High School roofing project and the Lynbrook North Middle School girls restroom.