IP School Board honors scholars and artists

The Island Park School Board met on Oct. 24 for their October meeting where they presented their student of the month awards, celebrated School board Appreciation Month, reviewed the district’s external audit report, discussed a bond proposal and considered options for the seventh-grade school trip.

The meeting started off with the student of the month awards presented by Lincoln Orens and Francis Hegarty principals Vincent Randazzo and Jacob Russum where they highlighted one exemplary student from each of the eight grades.

Following the awards, the board itself was honored for School Board Appreciation Month, where they were recognized for the often thankless but essential task they perform. Representatives from the faculty, secretarial, and parent teacher associations presented gifts to the board in honor of their service to the district.

Afterwards, Superintendent Rosemarie Bovino pointed out some of the new artwork hanging in the district’s administration building. She joked that the works were on loan from the students and that they would be getting the framed artwork back next month when new pieces would be put on display. The superintendent handed out art achievement certifications to all the children who had their art displayed in the room.

After a brief recess a representative from RS Abrams & Co., LLP gave their external audit report and noted that the district’s financials were in top shape.

Following the report, principal Randazzo gave a presentation on options for 2017’s seventh-grade class trip. He was considering changing the trip’s location to a place called Club Getaway in Connecticut instead of the trip to New York City from the last two years. He cited a number of problems with the New York City trip including ongoing storm damage to Ellis Island, logistical issues with visiting the Statue of Liberty and some inappropriate activity in Times Square. The board suggested maybe going to a similar outdoor camp on the island. Randazzo said he would look into it.

Superintendent Bovino finished off with a presentation on a bond proposal the board was considering to cover the costs of roof repair at the two schools, air conditioning and renovations to the art rooms, labs and classrooms. According to the presentation the district is nearing the end of their bond payment period and is eligible to take another out.

The superintendent noted that the cost of bond debt to the average household per year would stay at $115 but would increase to $150 by the 2020-21 school year. The board will meet to discuss the final plans for renovations with the public at next month’s Nov. 28 meeting and will vote on it in January.