New BOE President and VP Elected

As students across Half Hollow Hills enjoyed the first weeks of summer vacation, the board of education kicked off the 2011-12 school year, and with new leadership, there could be some significant challeneges ahead.

Jeanine Bottenus, who served as vice president in 2010-11, was elected as president and James Ptucha, who has been a trustee for the past five years, as vice president, during the first BOE meeting of the year on July 8 at the . 

Trustees Eric Geringswald and Frank Grimaldi were also sworn in, along with Diana Acampora, Betty DeSabato and Paul Peller.

There are several new faces in the district’s administrative seats. Most notably is superintendent Kelly Fallon who was as Sheldon Karnilow’s successor, when he decided to after 10 years in the position. Fallon was previously the deputy superintendent for schools.

The district has a new superintendent for finance and facilities as well. Victor Manuel, who was in the seat, left for a similar position with the Jericho school district. In his place is Anne Marie Caliendo who started July 1. Patrick Harrigan is also in a new position. He was hired to fill the role of assistant superintendent for districtwide administration. The school is still searching for an individual for the job of assistent superintendent for secondary education.

While there is an entire reorganization of the administration, Bottenus is looking forward to the new school year.

“We have a lot of change, but I think we will work well together and continue to do what we have done for the community,” she said. “It’ll be a change, but I think it will be a positive and exciting one.”

“It’s an exciting time. There is a lot of potential for new ideas,” Ptucha added, while remarking that it would be bittersweet to see Karnilow and the other administrators go.

One of the biggest changes now facing the BOE and school administrators is the recently approved statewide .

“We have to be fiscally responsible, continue the great education in Half Hollow Hills and keep as much of the program in place as possible,” Bottenus said.

Salaries were for teachers and administrators this past year to make up for cuts in state aid, but the freeze will end this year. The labor expense coupled with the tax cap will make for a very difficult budget process, Ptucha said.

“The tax levy shoots a monkey wrench into the whole formula,” he said. “It’s not a perfect process, but we have to see to it that we have the resources and teachers we need to continue the high level of education.”

Also on the board’s agenda this year is perfecting the new math program, known as the 21st century learning technique.

Other News and Notes:

• Brett Kindelmann was appointed as the new assistant principal at .