His name won't be forgotten

As Island Park Board of Education Trustee Steven Foster steps down after more than three decades of service, his name will not only remain in the minds of administrators, parents and students for the achievements he had a hand in, but also grace the Lincoln Orens Middle School auditorium, which has been dedicated in his honor.

Friends, family, parents and trustees from Island Park and West Hempstead gathered at the middle school Monday, June 25 to pay tribute to Foster’s 31 years as a trustee. “Past and present boards of education acknowledge and sincerely thank you for your support, your wisdom, your knowledge, your goodness and kindness, amongst many other things,” said board President Diana Caracciolo. “You have educated us, shown us the way, and we’re all extremely fortunate to have served with you. I feel the most fortunate, to have served with you for almost 15 of your 31 years.”

Foster’s current colleagues took turns expressing their respect for him and telling anecdotes that illustrated his dedication to the school district. “Honestly, 31 years on the board and people don’t understand sometimes how much work you do,” said Trustee Michael Hastava. “How many aggravating nights, how many sleepless nights … you always did it with a smile on your face.”

Matthew Paccione, who was elected to Foster’s seat on the board in May, presented him with an American flag on behalf of U.S. Rep. Peter King, who until recently represented Island Park. “I present this symbol of our nation, which you have earned by being a teacher of liberty and an advocate for our great nation,” Paccione said, “which you have selflessly given, not by blood, but by time and sweat and tears.”

BOCES Trustee Martin Kaye, a former West Hempstead trustee, acknowledged Foster as someone who current and future trustees can look up to and presented him with a certificate of achievement from the West Hempstead school district.

Superintendent Dr. Rosmarie Bovino, one of five superintendents who have worked alongside Foster since he was first elected to the board in 1981, read a message that will be engraved on a plaque just outside the auditorium. “With Mr. Foster’s vision and support, the lives of children are transformed, not only because of the programs he supported in the classrooms and on the fields, but in the art studios and on the auditorium stage as well,” it reads. “The district is ever grateful for the expertise, care, attention and time he so generously gave to improving the district’s buildings and grounds to ensure that students could work, play, create and perform to the best of their ability.”

Foster thanked those he worked with, described the joy he received from the position and then cut the ribbon to the entrance of the auditorium. “As you know, I am but one trustee among five … working for the good of the district in the interest of children and staff,” he said. “Be assured that our school board teams of the past, the present and the future have and will make every effort to keep Island Park schools viable, competitive and, most importantly, caring for the needs of our children.”