Lindy BOE Sets Three Workshops for the Community

The Lindenhurst Board of Education has scheduled three workshops at the McKenna Administration Building this month and in January.

They are as follows:

• Thursday, December 13, 8:30 p.m. - Insurance
• Wednesday, December 19, 7:15 p.m. - Special Education
• Wednesday, January 9, 7 p.m. - Curriculum Update

Insurance
The one on Thursday night will deal with the Lindenhurst School District's insurance options for its employees.

It's an extension of a discussion that began last school year by residents John Lisi and Denis Garbo, who not only questioned whether or not the District had shopped its insurance options in recent years in an effort to save residents money at budget time, but who also offered their expertise in the purchasing and insurance arenas, respectively.

And, according to BOE president Donna Hochman, Lisi and Garbo have been "instrumental" and have provided "a lot of input" since then.

"There've been a lot of conversations back and forth between Mr. Lisi and Mr. Garbo and the Board," she said, noting they've not only been vocal, but have also helped raise awareness and been very knowledgeable about this.

As a result of these discussions, a presentation will take place on December 13.

"A consultant was hired to go out and get a comparison between what the District currently has for its insurance - medical, life, etc. - and what's out there now. A comprehensive report will be given comparing and contrasting our plan and what was found to offer an idea what cost-savings might be there," Hochman explained.

"The workshop about insurance was originally supposed to be in October or November, but [Hurricane Sandy] pushed it back," Hochman said.

Special Education
The BOE workshop next Wednesday will feature a presentation about the District's special education program that'll be given by Lou Aiello, assistant to the superintendent for special education and pupil personnel services.

Since Aiello is retiring in January, Hochman said the Board really wanted to have him give the presentation special education.

"With Mr. Aiello retiring we felt it was important to have someone still familiar with the program give the presentation instead of waiting," Hochman noted. "Normally we wouldn't have workshops so closely like this."

The presentation will give residents and parents a sense of how the program works, flow-chart-style.

"The intent is to give those not familiar with the program a basic understanding," Hochman said.

It'll also give an in-depth look at the different vendors the District uses, and why it might need a larger list of vendors, and it'll look at the cost of bringing students back in District from BOCES - a discussion that was started last school year.

"All of the data will be discussed and distributed," she noted.

This workshop will follow a special meeting that same night where the BOE will announce its decision about it'll fill the vacated seat that's been left open since October when former BOE Trustee Julie Bartolomeo resigned.

It can appoint one of four candidates it recently interviewed to fill it, leave it open till the May 2013 Board election or hold a special election to fill it.

Curriculum
The last of the three on Wednesday, January 9, will offer residents and parents a curriculum update.

It'll be presented by Dr. Shari Camhi, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, according to Superintendent Richard Nathan.

More information about all three workshops is posted on the District's website.

Related:

• Lindenhurst Board of Education Closer to Decision to Fill Vacant Seat
• Lindenhurst School District: Lindy Students' Winter Break Canceled
• Talk Back Poll: Happy or Unhappy with the Lindenhurst School Budget Vote?
• Lindenhurst Okays 2012-13 School Budget
• Update: Lindenhurst 2012-13 School Budget Features Hard-Fought 2.45 Percent Tax Levy
• Lindenhurst Residents Voice Frustration at Budget Presentation
• Op-Ed: Lindenhurst Schools Need the Two Percent Tax Cap
• Op-Ed: Is Lindenhurst BOE Really Running Out of Cost-Savings Options?

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