Seaford’s allergy policy moves ahead

The Seaford Board of Education had its first reading of the proposed anaphylaxis policy regulation at its June 4 board meeting. “This policy is not a panacea, but rather it helps to provide guidelines for an allergy free environment,” Superintendent of Schools Brian Conboy said. “We will do the best we can.”

The policy puts in place changes to cafeteria procedures and protocols, the elimination of food from class parties and provides communication about the dangers of food allergies to the community. Additionally, the new guidelines would include a transportation policy in which the district would provide a health bus with a trained adult matron for each elementary school to ensure allergic students are riding a safe, clean, allergen-free bus equipped with an epi-pen.

Parents of allergic students would also be solicited to chaperone school trips. Teachers would accompany students with all necessary medical information and medication, and in severe cases school nurses may attend class trips to ensure student health and safety.

Trustee Jeanmarie Wink, who worked on the committee to draft the anaphylaxis policy said, “Now I have an appreciation of what people go through day after day,” she said.

“This policy will hopefully provide us with a way to continue an open dialogue on medical issues facing students,” Trustee Brian Fagan added.

Trustee Stacey Stark suggested that once the policy is passed, it should “go home to every family over the summer along with a safe snack list,” she said.

“The policy will be in place well before the new school year,” Conboy added, noting that the second and final reading of the anaphylaxis policy, along with its adoption, will take place at the July 2 board meeting.

In other news

Conboy thanked residents for approving the 2015-16 budget. “A majority of voters — 76 percent — supported the budget,” he said. “We are charged with using those funds correctly. Now that the budget is passed we have heard from residents about ideas of things that should be added. But we must be fiscally responsible.”

Additionally, last week’s announcement by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to renew the property tax cap, is of some concern to Conboy. “While extending the tax cap is prudent right now, once inflation is realized, the tax cap and inflation just don’t mix,” Conboy said. “Making the tax cap permanent could be dangerous.”

Other changes in state government could also impact Seaford including the announcement of the new state Senate Majority Leader, John Flanagan, of West Islip who “has been a friend and an advocate for education,” said Conboy, as well as the appointment of Carl Marcellino, from Oyster Bay, as chairman of the Education Committee.

Finally, Conboy said that MaryEllen Elia, the former superintendent of schools for Hillsborough County, Florida, is the new commissioner for the New York State Education Department. “I have read a lot about her — some praise, others criticize,” said Conboy. “She will lead the state Education Department and has many topics to tackle. We will give her a fair shot and see what happens.”