Year in Review: Top 10 School Stories of 2012

Administrative Retirements, Mourning Mr. Beuther

This year, the West Islip District said goodbye to Manetuck Principal Mary Anderson, who retired after serving 40 years in the district. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Lou Zocchia also retired, as well as longtime Administrative Assistant Jeanne Koepper. The district also mourned the loss of English teacher and coach James Beuther, who passed away in April.

Potential BOCES Cuts Spark Concern From Parents

When parents and students learned that some BOCES programs were on the chopping block, they fought to save them. By the time fall arrived, the district said all students who wished to seriously pursue BOCES were able to do so.

Voters Reject Busing Referendum

Residents said no to proposal by school district to save $500,000 in coming year by extending busing milage limits for middle and high school students.

West Islip voters approved a 2.27 tax levy increase for 2012-2013, and re-elected incumbents Steve Gellar and Mike Zotto.  

Schools Reopen After Hurricane Sandy

Due to unprecedented flooding and power outages throughout the area, West Islip Schools remained closed for more than five days following the storm.

Board of Ed Discusses Possible Lease with Atlantic Auto Mall

The West Islip Board of Education presented a tentative plan to lease space at Masera School to Atlantic Auto Mall at the board's monthly meeting in December.

Following a turbulent debate, Westbrook and Kirdahy Schools closed in June. The closures resulted in approximately 45 staff cuts.

New Elementary Boundary Info Hits WI Homes

Parents had a lot to say about the new elementary school boundaries after the closure of Westbrook and Kirdahy.

Letter to the Editor: BOE Decision to Close 2 Schools Made in Haste

One parent expressed her concerns that the Board of Education jumped to the decision to close the two schools. A flurry of feedback from other parents followed.  

Since the schools closed in June, the big question has been: What will fill them? A number of possible tenants were discussed at an Islip Town meeting in September.