Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District Board of Education reorganized for the new school year, electing its leadership, welcoming a new student representative and opening a public hearing on the district’s updated school safety plan before debating revisions to its public participation policy.
Nancy Castrogiovanni was re-elected board president during the annual reorganization meeting, which preceded the board’s regular business meeting. The board also elected Michael Schindler as its vice president and approved appointments of district officers, other appointments and annual designations.
Superintendent Francesco Ianni welcomed newly elected trustee Anne-Marie Longo and introduced incoming student representative Sophia Staphos, who will serve as the board’s student liaison during the upcoming school year.
“I want to first welcome Ms. Longo to the first board meeting,” Ianni said. “My entire team is very excited to work with you… and we’re looking forward to provide the best support that we can provide to our students every single day.”
Ianni also praised Staphos, describing her as “a mature young woman who consistently demonstrates integrity and compassion.”
Sapos introduced herself to the community, highlighting her involvement in athletics and academics. Deputy Superintendent Maureen Raynor then conducted the required public hearing on the district’s proposed 2026-27 district-wide school safety plan.
Raynor said the updated plan reflects changes in state law and includes revisions related to emergency drills, annual staff training requirements and the addition of a cardiac emergency response plan required under Dasha’s Law.
She reviewed the district’s standard response protocol, including procedures for secure lockouts, lockdowns, evacuations and sheltering in place. Raynor noted that the proposed plan will remain available on the district website for a 30-day public comment period before the board considers adoption at its August meeting ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline.
Raynor also reminded residents that while the district-wide safety plan is public, individual building emergency response plans remain confidential under state law because they contain sensitive security information. The board later approved instructional personnel, non-instructional personnel, business and special services resolutions without discussion before turning to new business, where trustees discussed revisions to Board Policy 1510 governing public participation at meetings.
Longo questioned whether proposed edits would reduce opportunities for public comment. District attorney Mary Anne Sadowski explained that language allowing residents to speak at regular meetings had not been removed but relocated within the policy.
Board member Michael Castellano said he had requested language directing residents to the district’s complaint policy when appropriate.
Trustees also discussed how questions from residents should be handled during meetings.
Castrogiovanni said simple questions are answered immediately, when possible, while more complex inquiries requiring research receive follow-up responses at subsequent meetings and by email.
The board unanimously approved the policy revisions before concluding the meeting by returning to executive session to discuss personnel matters.
