School Notebook: Longtime Board Member Steps Down and Kindergarten Enrollment Down

In the midst of the adoption of next year's school district budget and the kickoff of the board of education election season, Babylon said goodbye to a 14-year veteran of the school board.

Thomas Melito, Deputy Suffolk County Executive for Performance Management, left due to increased job responsibilities. Board members and Interim Superintendent Peter Daly thanked him for his years of service at Monday's meeting. Melito received a standing ovation from the crowd of parents, teachers, and residents in the high school's Rowe Hall.

Melito thanked the community for "electing me five times," and said that his experience in Babylon had been overwhelmingly positive. His seat will be up for election, along with the two seats of incumbents Roger Katz and Lisa McKeown who will run for relection, along with new candidate Ann Donaldson. Patch will have interviews with the candidates in coming days.

Superintendent Daly reported on next year's kindergarten registration, noting that 92 entrants so far represented a reduction from last year. The six sections of kindergarten will be reduced to five, with an average class size of 18.4.

In response to what Daly said had been a comment from a resident that a local real estate agent had told them that the low enrollment was due to more families choosing private school due to recent test scores and school performance, Daly announced plans to meet with local real estate agents. The open house informational meeting would help Daly address concerns and allow real estate agents to receive useful information about the district.