Updating their Internet profile

In order to improve communication with residents and to let them know what they missed at meetings, the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education has added an array of information to its home page on the district’s website.

The changes, which were announced at the Oct. 18 board meeting, include a letter from the board; names, photos and biographies of each of the seven trustees, along with their goals, responsibilities and the committees they serve on; meeting minutes; presentations made to the board at meetings; a link to district policies, and contact information. Meeting dates and agendas are already on the site. Budget information will be added later in the school year.

School board President Stephanie Gould, a trustee since 1995, said that the board was always thinking about updating the website with more information but was never able to move forward with the idea until this year, as the project kept getting moved to the back burner. “We wanted more links, information, and we wanted people who missed Board of Education meetings to feel like they were there and could see what was discussed,” Gould said.

She credited Trustee Scott McInnes for moving the idea forward. “He really pushed the idea, and had he not been on the board, these changes may never have been made,” Gould said. “We wanted to make the website community-friendly so everyone can get information.”

Board of Education websites in neighboring school districts, such as Valley Stream, Rockville Centre and Lynbrook, already have information about trustees, meeting agendas, minutes and schedules as well as policies and board presentations.

Melissa Gates, co-president of the Central Council PTA and a parent of two students, one at Woodmere Middle School and one at Hewlett High School, described the new home page as “fantastic” and said it is a welcome addition to the Hewlett-Woodmere district website. “I think it fosters communication and makes our board more accessible, which is fantastic,” she said.