MINUTES OF THE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING December 5, 2018
Page 1
A regular meeting of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education was held on
Wednesday evening, December 5, 2018, in the Board of Education Conference Room of the Administrative
Offices at the Brookside School at 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York.
The following members of the Board of Education were present:
Nina Lanci, President
Wendy Gargiulo, Vice President
Marion Blane
Edward Corona
John Ferrara
Janet Goller
Dr. Nancy Kaplan
Gina Piskin
Also present:
John DeTommaso, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Mara Bollettieri, Deputy Superintendent of Personnel
Michael Harrington, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Eric Arlin, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
Cheryl Fontana, Director of Music/Fine and Performing Arts and Adult Education
Joseph Innaco, Director of Instructional and Technology Services
Emily Paluseo, Assistant Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
Jon Simpkins, Director of School Facilities and Operations
Tom Volpe, Transportation Supervisor/Health and Safety Coordinator
Christopher Powers, School Attorney
Pattianne Guccione, District Clerk
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:12 p.m. Mrs. Lanci, Board of
Education President, led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF SILENCE Ms. Lanci began the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of
former President George H.W. Bush.
MINUTES Dr. Kaplan moved that the Board of Education approve the minutes
from the November 7, 2018 meeting. Ms. Blane seconded and the
motion was carried 8-0.
TREASURER’S REPORT Ms. Piskin moved that the Board of Education approve the Treasurer’s
Report, dated October 31, 2018. Mr. Ferrara seconded and the motion
was carried 8-0.
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT Mr. DeTommaso began by welcoming everyone and said this evening
is the night of champions. He stated that earlier in the evening we
recognized Mepham’s Boys Soccer team for winning the Nassau
MINUTES OF THE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING December 5, 2018
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County Championship and Kennedy’s Boys Volleyball team for
winning the Nassau County, Long Island and New York State
Championships. This is the first time in history since the program
started in 1938 that the soccer team has won a championship. This is
the second New York State win for the volleyball program. He
congratulated both teams on their accomplishments.
Mr. DeTommaso thanked Mr. Harrington, the directors and chair
people for organizing the 9th Grade Scheduling Night for parents of
students that will be going into high school next year. This program
gives students and parents an opportunity to review the courses and
make informed decisions on their education. They learn about the
various courses that are available to help fulfill their high school
experience.
Mr. DeTommaso stated that the counseling and wellness centers are
fulfilling what we hoped that they would with students coming in on
their own and making new appointments. An agreement with South
Oaks and Northwell Health will give more support for our students
which will be further discussed next month.
Mr. DeTommaso said he is proud and pleased to announce that on
November 29, 2018 we closed on the Jerusalem Avenue property for
twelve million dollars and we still own 5.5 acres of the property. He
is happy that this property is going to BOCES, which deals with
differently disabled students. He thanked the current and previous
Boards of Education.
Mr. DeTommaso said that the Community Cupboard was able to give
out ninety turkeys and big baskets of food for Thanksgiving dinner to
families in need. Two weeks later the Community Cupboard supplied
additional food for fifty families and will continue to help families
throughout the holiday season. The Bellmore Lions Club will be
helping families in need next week. He thanked the community for
their support and said this is the core of Bellmore-Merrick. From his
family to everyone and their families, happy holidays.
VIRTUAL ENTERPRISE Ms. Gargiulo presented Award of Honor certificates to the members
of Calhoun’s Virtual Enterprise Team, DefenseLine. The team won
the Elevator Pitch contest at the Business and Entrepreneurship
Leadership Conference for their concept of a line of products that can
detect date rape drugs in drinks. The CEO of the team, Branden
Rosario gave a one-minute pitch about the company. Mr.
DeTommaso congratulated the team and their teacher, Mr. Palazzo.
Ms. Lanci congratulated the team on behalf of the Board of Education
and said that the team members are truly poised and she hopes they
advance further in the competition.
MINUTES OF THE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING December 5, 2018
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STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVES Matthew Alexander from Meadowbrook Alternative Program is not
feeling well and was not present.
Gabriela Daza from Mepham High School said that Battle of the
Classes raised money for Building Homes for Heroes and that Ryan
Shannon, U.S. Navy Petty Officer has received a mortgage free home;
he will be visiting Mepham to meet the students that have helped him
get this home. She congratulated her fellow students that were
inducted into the Honors Societies. The Drama Club presented “Up
the Down Staircase” and gave a great performance. The blood drive
collected ninety-nine pints of blood and Bellmore-Merrick
Broadcasting filmed many events throughout the month. She
congratulated the winning soccer and volleyball teams along with the
many students that received awards. She wished everyone Happy
Holidays.
Jonathan Mashal from Kennedy High School said that students
participated at a Jones Beach clean-up, collected food for struggling
families for Thanksgiving and Student Ambassadors visited the
United Nations. The Advanced Science Research students recently
attended Northwell Health SPARK and he congratulated the students
for being state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
competition. He also congratulated Morgan Marcus for designing the
new Bellmore-Merrick Art & Music Logo. He said students will be
wrapping presents for the Polar Express Holiday Party and they will
be having a Town Hall meeting with administrators. He wished
everyone a happy holiday season.
Juliana Tirino from Calhoun said that students raised over $2,200 for
the Community Cupboard at their Thanksgiving Dinner. They had the
Brotherhood Concert and Choral Showcase and students gave
amazing performances. The National Honors Societies inducted
twenty-one new members. The Health Fair was a success. She
especially enjoyed a trip to Mississippi with fellow students and saw
how life in Mississippi is different from ours in New York. She wished
everyone a happy holiday and a healthy new year.
Ms. Lanci mentioned the future dates and thanked everyone for their
support with the Polar Express Holiday Party. There are seven
hundred children in Nassau County that are living in homeless
shelters. The Polar Express Holiday Party is an amazing event where
they transform the Brookside building and help some of those children
and families during the holidays. They will have a petting zoo, eat hot
dogs and cotton candy and give presents to everyone that is in need
and attends. She said the caliber of this community is so impressive
and supportive.
MINUTES OF THE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING December 5, 2018
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PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none on agenda items only.
DONATIONS Ms. Piskin moved that the Board of Education accept a donation from
the staff of the Brookside Building of $410.00 to the Bellmore-
Merrick Central High School District’s CHAMP Program at Kennedy
High School and increase the appropriations budget by this amount.
Ms. Goller seconded and the motion was carried 8-0.
Ms. Lanci thanked the administrators and staff.
Ms. Gargiulo moved that the Board of Education accept a donation of
$35,351.06 from the Estate of Dorothy Reinhard to establish the
Robert E. & Harry E. Reinhard Scholarship Award. The scholarship
will be awarded to a Mepham senior who plans to continue his/her
music education.
Mr. Ferrara seconded and the motion was carried 8-0.
Ms. Lanci thanked the Estate.
Ms. Piskin moved that the Board of Education accept the following
resolutions:
SPECIAL EDUCATION BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the revised
Special Education vendors list for the 2018-2019 school year.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the following
Special Education placements as recommended by the Committee on
Special Education (CSE):000011288, 000011313, 000012860,
000013120, 000014841, 000511375, 000511654, 000513223,
030430009, 030430010, 040540006, 041630001, 050600002,
060590004, 060690000, 061430001, 070720004, 071700001,
083090001, 100290003, 102570000, 131261293, 171811592,
181911122, 201600057, 201700008, 201800110, 201800141,
201800183, 201800186, 370001081, 370001112, 370001244,
370001277, 370001623, 370001821, 992450196 and 992450250.
PERSONNEL BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the
Superintendent of Schools’ Personnel Report, dated December 5,
2018 as stated in the agenda.
Ms. Gargiulo seconded and the motion was carried 8-0.
BILLS The Board of Education reviewed the Summary of Bills, dated
December 5, 2018, and the corresponding warrants.
MINUTES OF THE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING December 5, 2018
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BIDS Ms. Gargiulo moved that the Board of Education approve the bids as
stated in the agenda. Ms. Blane seconded and the motion was carried
8-0.
BUDGET SUMMARY The Board of Education reviewed the Budget Summary, dated
November 30, 2018.
Ms. Piskin moved that the Board of Education approve the following
resolutions:
SETTLEMENT AGREEEMENT BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Bellmore-
Merrick Central High School District, having reviewed an Agreement
involving a member of the non-instructional staff in executive session,
hereby approves such Agreement and authorizes and directs the
Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education President to
execute such Agreement on behalf of the Board of Education.
EXTERNAL AUDIT BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the
Corrective Action Plan for the Annual External Audit for the School
Year 2017-2018.
OBSOLETE FURNITURE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the disposal
of four cafeteria tables.
Dr. Kaplan seconded and the motion carried 8-0.
CORRESPONDENCE Ms. Lanci said we did not receive Board correspondence.
PUBLIC COMMENTS Betsy Lashin commended the Bellmore-Merrick Board of Education,
Central Administration, Mepham High School and Grand Avenue
Middle School educators for providing an exceptional educational
experience for her three sons.
Summer Marfani, a student at Calhoun, requested that Eid holidays be
added to the school calendar. Eid is very special to her, like Christmas
to a lot of people. Last year an exam was scheduled on Eid and she
had to take the exam at a later date, alone. She feels she shouldn’t have
to choose between school and her holiday.
Imke Hassan requested that Eid holidays be added to the school
calendar. Her children attended the district. When they were young
they enjoyed being off when other students were in class but as they
went up in grade, the demands of school made them not enjoy the day
off for the holiday. She asked if any other religions are requesting that
days be added to the school calendar. Mr. DeTommaso said nobody
has requested it but that the Board of Education is having discussions
about other holidays.
MINUTES OF THE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING December 5, 2018
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Raina Elbaz requested that Eid holidays be added to the school
calendar. She said that she has been going to many meetings and would
be happy to give any additional information to help the Board of
Education make a decision. She inquired about which district makes
this decision, each elementary district or the central high district.
School Attorney, Chris Powers explained that there are five free
standing school districts that are trying to coordinate their school
calendars but there is no program in place to organize this. Eid does
not affect the school calendar next year but they will continue to
discuss it. There is no requirement that all of the school districts be in
agreement but it would be ideal if they were.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS There was none.
ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Dr. Kaplan, seconded by Mr. Ferrara and carried 8-0,
the Board of Education meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pattianne Guccione
District Clerk
