Pearl River Addresses Bullying Policy, New Teachers

The Pearl River Board of Education voted Tuesday on a new anti-bullying policy.

All districts in the state of New York are required to adopt the new policy by 2012.

"The state is requires that the bullying prevention policies be amended to incorporate the new law, but they don’t go into effect until 2012," said Pearl River Assistant Superintendent Dr. John Morgano in the last board meeting before he takes over as superintendent. "We see no reason to wait until 2012 with this policy. This policy in its entirety will be included in the code of conduct."

District Director of Operations Quinton Van Wynen recommended approving Pearl River Plumbing and Heating's $488,500 bid for the planned renovation of eight bathrooms in the high school, four to be completed this summer. The work is scheduled to begin Friday.

The board also welcomed Kelly Linnane as a new student representative to replace graduating senior Mike Scarinci.

Four provisionary hires for the fall were approved:

• Amy Restholder - Music
• Stephen Lonergan - High School Technology
• Clare Halligan - High School Biology
• Diana Nicaj - High School Librarian