The Lynbrook Public Schools’ Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting on July 3. The 2018-19 school year has officially begun, and the district is excited to move forward with new ventures.
William Belmont, Lesli Dennino and Robert Paskoff were unanimously reelected president, vice president and secretary, respectively, and took oaths of office for their roles. Mr. Paskoff, Ms. Deninno and David Yaker were also sworn into new three-year terms as a result of being reelected to the board of education in May, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak and District Clerk Theresa Moran were sworn into their positions.
The meeting also included reports and student recognitions. Class of 2018 graduate Robert Bing, now getting ready to head off to Boston University, was applauded for being published with a co-writer for his research on “The Uncanny Valley Effect.” He explained that this involves the tendency for humans to feel more comfortable with things that have human characteristics and those that they can empathize with.
Dr. Burak discussed the Summer Playground Program and noted that 685 students are enrolled in two campuses. Students are also participating in the Summer STEAM Academy and summer academic programs for both middle school and high school students are operating this summer.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Operations, and Information Systems Dr. Paul Lynch summarized capital projects that are under way for the summer. The major undertakings include boiler replacement and electrical work at Waverly Park and brick pointing at West End, while numerous smaller projects will take place throughout the district. New classroom doors at South Middle School, sidewalk replacements at Waverly Park, computer lab upgrades at Marion Street and new nets at the softball field are all on the list. He also noted that the district’s SMART Bond plan was approved and the district will put security vestibules out to bid in September with the hopes of having them installed by the end of the year.
The board members expressed their enthusiasm for the promotional events that took place as the 2017-18 school year came to a close and extended their congratulatory remarks to all the graduates.