The Rockville Centre Board of Education officially began the 2026-27 school year at its annual reorganizational meeting and public work session on July 1, re-electing Kelly Barry as board president in a close vote among the district's five trustees.
The 15-minute meeting marked the beginning of the new school year, following a 2025-26 budget cycle marked by extended financial debate over a $141.3 million spending plan that stayed below the state tax cap but included staff cuts and program reductions. The process drew sustained public concern over potential classroom impacts and transparency, even as district officials maintained that the budget preserved core programs while addressing structural financial constraints.
Barry was nominated for board president by trustee Donna Downing, while newly elected Trustee Christa Dorrego nominated Erica Messier for the position. Barry was elected by a 3-2 vote after casting a vote for herself, with Downing and another new trustee, Mary Beth Joyce, also voting for her. Dorrego and Messier voted for Messier.
Barry nominated Downing for vice president, while Messier nominated Dorrego. Downing was elected by a 3-1 vote, with support from Barry, Downing and Joyce. Messier cast the lone vote for Dorrego.
Messier was unanimously appointed board secretary.
Superintendent Matthew Gaven took the oath of office to begin his new term as superintendent, while Kerri Rinaldi was reappointed district treasurer. The board also unanimously approved the trustees to serve as the district's audit committee.
Last month, Kevin Richmond was named assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, William Herman was tapped as assistant superintendent for finance and operations, and the two men took over positions previously held by John DeTommaso and Jacqueline Rehak, respectively. They will begin work later this month.
Following the board's approval of his appointment, Brian Turk was welcomed as the district's newest English Language Arts teacher at South Side Middle School.
“He was the clear number one pick from everyone that interviewed him,” Gaven said of Turk, “so we are super excited for him to join the staff at the middle school.”
Earlier in the meeting, South Side High School senior Callie Mann was sworn in to her second term as student board member, the student representative on the board.
Barry then announced committee assignments for the new year. In addition to serving on the audit committee, all five trustees will serve on the building visitation committee.
Messier was appointed to the district safety team and, along with Joyce, will serve on the finance committee. Dorrego and Downing were appointed to the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education. Dorrego will also serve on the Parent Advisory Title I Committee and the district's wellness committee. Downing and Joyce were appointed to the policy committee, while Downing will continue serving as the board's liaison to the Rockville Centre Education Foundation.
During his superintendent's report, Gaven reflected on the district's recent end-of-year celebrations, recognizing graduating seniors, students advancing to new schools and the faculty and staff who helped make those milestones possible.
He also highlighted the recent discovery and opening of a time capsule buried at South Side Middle School, which was then known as South Side Junior High School, by students in 1976, after an unidentified former student alerted the district to its existence.
"Inside of that time capsule from 1976 were cassette tapes, slides, letters, poems and reflections from students all imagining their future," Gaven said. "Their hopes included the opportunity for maybe stronger medicine, curing cancer, electric cars, and they even hoped that the Beatles would get back together."
The contents, he said, provided a fascinating glimpse into the aspirations of students five decades ago, and will be incorporated into educational activities at the middle school during the upcoming school year. School officials said that a ceremony focusing on the time capsule will take place when students return to school.
As the district transitions into its summer programs, Gaven emphasized that learning continues well beyond the end of the school year. "So just when anyone thinks that we are not busy and we're closed for the summer, it starts again on [July 6],” he said, “and we will have thousands of students back in the district again starting Monday."
Gaven also reminded families to be mindful of traffic and parking around school buildings during summer programs, and urged parents to avoid blocking driveways or neighborhood streets during drop-off and pick-up. He concluded by wishing families a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer.
