Island Trees Honors Students, Sets Plan for Track Repair

Family, friends and staff members poured into the Stephen Karopcyzc School to honor a special group of students from Island Trees Memorial Middle School before discussing new hot topics from the Board of Education Wednesday.

Middle school Principal Roger Bloom opened the meeting with a special award presentation for 16 exceptional eighth graders, recognizing their outstanding work in various group projects.

"We are proud to share news that 16 of our eighth grade students have bestowed national and state recognition," Bloom said at the start of the ceremony.

Thomas Piscopio, Robert Livoti, Ryan Jaeger and Mike Smith were awarded certificates for their first place idea, "G-rasers", a lamination project for PVC fencing that would prevent graffiti work. Daniel Dmuchowski, Stephen Hogan, David Joyce and Nicholas Piarulli were honored for their second place project as "The Tooth Brush Squad", where they designed a brace to assist arthritis sufferers when holding an object.

"Helping Hands", a project that designed portable devices for wheelchairs to help the physically challenged, earned Jennifer Diognardi, Lauren Ecock, Hannah Johnston and Caroline Ramirez certificates as well. Lastly, Brendan Butler, Rebekah Martin, Casey Stephens and Ryan Willoughby were honored for their project, "Pet Safe", a light-up collar that flashes in case of smoke, allowing easy rescue in the case of an emergency.

Also stealing the spotlight at Wednesday's meeting was a perpetual problem pressing the district- the sinkhole within the Island Trees High School track.

"We now have the approval for repair," said Superintendent Charles Murphy. "We hope to have it done by graduation."

Board members honored Roger Bloom and Jim Kranmer with certificates for tenure, which they were granted earlier this school year.

Community residents took time after the agenda topics to address the board with both old and new concerns.

Island Trees resident John Fontana voiced his opinion in regards to the United Teachers of Island Trees contracts and Patricia Mahon's place on the board as a former teacher. Fontana felt that teachers should sacrifice their contractual raises and that the district as a whole should lay off more staff than they did this past year. He also stated that the board president's former occupation imposed a conflict.

In regards to Mahon being a teacher and serving for the Board of Education, board members backed her up wholeheartedly. 

"She's a teacher, that's true, but there have been many different professions that bring different perspectives to the board. That's what makes our board great," Board Trustee Robert Condela said.

The board will meet next for a special work session on June 15 at 7 p.m.