By Dana Williams
District Clerk Jackie Ackerman announced this year's school board election results, saying that board members Mary Clark and James Scannell were re-elected to three-year terms. Ackerman said Scannell received 1,993 votes and Clark received 1,628, beating challengers Stanley Gittleman and Ralph Rose.
Scannell was also sworn in as the school board's new president, while Mary Jo O'Hagan - the board's former president - was sworn in as its new vice president. Both officials were nominated for their new positions by their fellow board members.
School board members also took time to welcome two new principals to the district, and those in attendance gave them a round of applause. Eschele May will be the new principal of Shubert Elementary School. May is replacing Petronella Cellura, who retired this year. Dr. Thomas Caramore, the district's acting superintendent, announced Lori Presti as the new principal of Steele Elementary School. Presti replaces Kathleen Dyckes, who spent 11 years as the school's principal.
"I welcome both of you and I know you're anxious to get started, and we're all looking forward to working with you," Caramore said.
"On behalf of the board of education and Baldwin school community, welcome to Baldwin," Scannell added.
Officials also named Rosemarie Coletti as the new assistant superintendent of human resources, and there were more than 32 appointments made for the 2007-08 school year, ranging from attendance officer to an internal auditor. Officials also announced that Coletti would serve as the district's civil service coordinator and one of the sexual harassment compliance officers, among other duties.
The schedule for this year's board of education and annual meetings were also announced. There will be two community input meetings, one on Oct. 24 at Baldwin High School and one on Jan. 23, 2008 at Baldwin Middle School. In addition, the budget vote for next year will be on May 20 at high school.
In the business portion of the meeting, Frank Fiumano, the district's assistant superintendent for business and administration, announced that refurbishment to Baldwin High School's kitchen, gymnasium and commons area are underway, and will be completed by September.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
