RSS 2.0 FeedOctober 28, 2010, Wantagh Seaford Citizen
Labor strife at Wantagh school board
Teachers unite to raise awareness that their contract has expired.
In a show of solidarity, about 100 members of the Wantagh United Teachers (WUT) came together at the October 21 Board of Education meeting. Without a contract since it expired on June 30, the teachers, many wearing gray WUT shirts, chose not to make a statement when the meeting was opened to public comment, but their unity spoke volumes.
Wantagh Board of Education President Jean Quinn addressed the teachers assembled, stating that the Board of Education is continuing to negotiate in good faith with three of its bargaining units: Wantagh United Teachers, Wantagh Educational Secretarial Association (WESA), and Wantagh Aides and Monitors (WAM).
“Our negotiating team has met with the WUT at least seven different occasions and have another date scheduled for November 1; with WESA at least six different occasions and have a date scheduled for October 26; and with WAM at least four times,” said Mrs. Quinn.
“The Board is committed to the process and is very much working toward reaching an agreement at a level that is fair to our employees and our community,” she continued.
The meeting began with a somber tribute to Brittany Vega, the ninth-grader who was struck and killed by a car while crossing Sunrise Highway on September 22.
The board approved the second installment of a $20,000 grant that was awarded to the Wantagh Elementary School by an anonymous donor. It was agreed that the funds will be distributed in two installments of $10,000 each. The first installment was approved at the December 2009 board meeting.
The funds for this installment will be used to purchase technology-related items.
Members of Student Government reported on several successes, including the naming of National Merit Scholars; the high school blood drive; participation of several teams in the breast cancer walkathon at Jones Beach; and the annual Homecoming, at which the juniors won best float, the Wantagh Warriors football team beat Bellmore-JFK 51-6, and the cheerleaders, dance team and marching band all performed magnificently.
Wantagh Schools Superintendent Dr. Lydia Begley presented a special video created by teacher Krista Albrecht in honor of School Board Recognition Week.
Dr. Begley emphasized that although not everyone knows what a school board member does, these hardworking and dedicated individuals are elected to three-year terms, without compensation, to provide the best education for Wantagh's students.
In his report of the Wantagh Educational Foundation, Ralph Spagnolo announced that the first Teen Night of the school year brought out over 300 middle school students, and the Foundation's Saturday morning computer classes for senior citizens “keeps on growing.”
Diane Wenz, representing the Wantagh 6-12 Association, reported that they are sponsoring a special presentation for parents by renowned speaker Paul Failla on October 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium, entitled “Helping Parents to Help Children Make the Right Decisions: Lessons on Teaching Tolerance, Civic Values and Positive Decision Making.”
When the meeting was opened to public comment, Diane McCoy questioned the district's commitment to the arts; last year's part-time supervisor of the arts, Paul Sulkin, had been replaced in September with a full-time supervisor, Scott Frank, whose resignation was approved at this board meeting.
Dr. Begley explained that Mr. Frank's resignation was a personal matter and the district is actively looking for a director of fine and performing arts.
“We have the utmost dedication to the fine and performing arts,” added board president Quinn.
Mrs. McCoy also questioned why the last few Special Education Parent-Teacher Association (SEPTA) meetings had been cancelled. Mrs. Quinn answered that there had been poor turnout, and she asked for volunteers interested in assisting the association's leaders.
The next Wantagh Board of Education meeting will take place on Thursday, November 18, at 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Transcripts of this and previous board meetings are available at the district's website, wantaghschools.org.
