By Brian Zanzonico
In Williams's State of the District Address at the Sewanhaka Central Council of PTA meeting last Thursday at H. Frank Carey High School, the second-year superintendent said the district is forming a student advisory council comprised of two students from each of its five schools - Sewanhaka, Carey, Elmont Memorial, New Hyde Park Memorial and Floral Park Memorial high schools.
"I personally felt we did not do enough of interacting with the children," said Williams, who succeeded Dr. George Goldstein in July 2004 . "Now if issues bubble up from the student body to the student advisory council representatives, it will be brought to me."
Initially, there was talk of creating a student representative seat on the eight-member school board, but that never materialized. Instead, it was agreed that a student advisory board would be the best way to hear and address concerns of the 1,500-2,000 students enrolled in each school.
"In the past, we didn't go out of our way with student issues," he said. "Now if there are issues, I'll meet with two representatives from the schools first, then bring the 10 together to flush out the issues."
While students may be pleased to learn they will have a more influential voice, they may not be happy with the district's new grading policy. In the past grades were rounded, which didn't accurately reflect the performance of the student. Now, teachers will award students the precise grades they earn.
"It seemed as though rounding was often rounded up, resulting in grade inflation," Williams said.
The district is also a participant in the Nassau BOCES diversity recruitment program. Minority students make up a good portion of Sewanhaka and Elmont high schools, and Floral Park, Carey and New Hyde Park are growing increasingly multicultural.
"Our professional staff does not reflect our diversity," he said. "Our district has undergone criticism that our personnel doesn't look as much like our student body."
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