Lawrence reorganizes for a new school year

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Though students and teachers will not return to classrooms until September, the Lawrence School District got a jump on a new school year at the July 12 Board of Education meeting at the middle school by officially appointing Christine Moore as principal of the Lawrence Primary School at the Number Two School — first and second grade — and Christian Paulino as an assistant principal at the high school.

Moore, who replaces Cynthia Lee who left the district, served as the assistant principal of the newly created Lawrence Elementary School — grades three through five — that is in the Lawrence Middle School at Broadway Campus building this year and previously was the assistant principal at the middle school.

“My vision for September is to enhance the culture and climate within the building with students, staff and families,” said Moore, who has been an educator for 30 years, 13 in Lawrence as a teacher and administrator. “Teachers will also be working collaboratively in teams to work with all the students effectively. Parent involvement will be encouraged at all times.”

Paulino comes from the New York City educational system, where he has worked for the past decade, most recently at the Paul Robeson High School for Business and Technology in Brooklyn. He has a background in special education and speaks Spanish as well.

Murray Forman and Asher Mansdorf were unanimously reappointed president and vice president of the board, respectively. School district counsel, Albert D’Agostino administered the oath of office to both trustees.

Out of the 13 items where the district has to pay out more than $50,000 for the 2016-’17 school year from its $99.5 million budget, $7.1 million is owed to the New York State Employees Health Insurance for medical insurance; $112,771.55 to purchase and install the playground equipment behind the middle school for Lawrence Elementary School (the money is expected to be reimbursed as part of a state grant); and $102,544.3 to the Village of Cedarhurst for sewer rental.

The board approved the Eagle Scout project of Lawrence High senior and Atlantic Beach resident Michael Simao, who will plan and execute the repainting of the parking space lines and traffic arrows at the Lawrence Primary School to earn the prestigious Boy Scout award. “We are in full support of your project,” Forman said. Simao will be the fourth generation of his family to graduate Lawrence next June. The project is expected to be completed before school begins.

The next board meeting is on Monday, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. in the middle school.