School Board Notes: Board Debates Additional Construction, Reviews Science Curriculum

The Hauppauge Board of Education heard two presentations Tuesday night: one update on the 2008 Bond Projects that debates how to spend the remaining $1.3 million and the other on the results of the Tri-State Consortium’s evaluation of the district’s science curriculum.

Recognitions and Awards

The Board of Education recognized Hauppauge elementary school students who competed in the Brookhaven National Labs Science Fair.  Hannah Fioramonti, a second-grader, won first place for her grade level with her project "Dirty Hands, Dirty Money" at the Brookhaven National Labs. Kindergartener Aidan Johannson, third-grader Yuktha Chiguripati and fourth-grader Xavier Cheng received honorable mention at the science fair.  

Presentations

(A) Austin Gavin, project administrator of the district’s 2008 Capital Bond Project, provided an update on the status of the construction work. Hauppauge High School’s auditorium renovations and Hauppauge Middle School’s science and music addition have been completed and are now in use by students.

 This summer, Gavin said reconstruction will continue at the middle school to update two science rooms, and replace the rest of the ceiling and lighting fixtures. Through the Capital Reserve Fund, the heating ventilation and air conditioning units at Bretton Woods Elementary School will be replaced.

 As construction nears completion, there is $1.3 million remaining under the bonds for the Board of Education to do additional work. Several options for further renovations and updates were suggested. Check Patch later this afternoon for more details on further renovation options.

(B) Hauppauge Public Schools had 20 other educators visit the district to evaluate its K-12 science curriculum under the Tri-State Consortium in November 2010. Based on student work, curriculum outlines, and various interviews, members of the Tri-State consortium suggested that Hauppauge school officials take several actions: develop a mission statement for the science curriculum, offer more enrichment opportunities and continue to increase professional development for teachers.  Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss said the district plans to make a science committee to oversee these plans by fall 2011. 

Superintendent’s Comment

Sullivan-Kriss thanked Hauppauge voters for approving the $97.2 million 2011-2012 school budget. The superintendent also congratulated incumbent Susan Hodosky and Pat Lesser on being re-elected to serve three more years on the Board of Education.

Sullivan-Kriss said that legislation that would propose a 2 percent property tax cap has been introduced in the New York State assembly. As such, Sullivan-Kriss said she felt it was likely some version of the bill would take effect in New York.

Hauppauge High School Chamber Choir has been selected as one of the groups to perform at New York’s All-State concert in December 2011.

Personnel Matters 

• Bretton Woods principal Matthew Giordano will be retiring after 40 years of teaching at the Hauppauge school district on June 30.
• Reza Kolahifar, assistant superintendent of personnel and administration, will be resigning after a year of service to pursue other work.

Business Matters

Hauppauge Public Schools accepted a donation for landscaping, valued at $800, from Scot Davis, for the front of Pines Elementary School.

Next: The Hauppauge Board of Education will meet on June 7 at 8 p.m. in the board room of the former Whiporwhil Elementary School.