N. Bellmore Superintendent: Higher Standards for State Tests

Rosemarie Corless and Grace Cramsie were elected president and vice president, respectively, of the North Bellmore Board of Education, as was decided at the meeting at Martin Avenue School on Wednesday night.

"Congratulations to the both of you," District Clerk Toni Cincotta said. "Best of luck."

Appointees included Cincotta as district clerk, Jaspan Schlesinger as the board attorney, Jeanne Canavan as the board aecretary, Barbara Fillios as treasurer and Jeanne Canavan as deputy treasurer.

Superintendent Arnold Goldstein presented his Superintendent's report, praising the board for its hard work and consistency.

"I have been very lucky to work with this board," Goldstein said. "They also maintain their respect and they keep their senses of humor."

Goldstein stressed that the students did overwhelmingly well on the state tests. He also praised the hard work of teachers and parents, but warned that tests would be tougher in the future.

"We have been told that the state is going to be raising the cutoff on the assessments, which will make it harder to do well."

These changes could mean additional costs for services needed for the increased number of students who do not score either a 3 or a 4 on those tests.

"We have confidence in our students," Goldstein said. "We believe that they will continue their excellence."

An issue that was resolved was that of free and reduced price of lunch and milk for qualified children.

"According to federal and New York State regulation, free and reduced lunch shall be served to qualified children," Corless said. "The family eligibility guidelines will be used in order to determine eligibility."