Liz Dion Named Board of Ed President

A recent reorganization of the Rockville Centre School Board moved Trustee Liz Dion into the president's seat. Dion replaced former president Mark Masin, who became the board's secretary, while Steve Kriss remained as vice president.

"There was no specific reason for the change," explained Masin. "It's beneficial to the school board to change leadership. As secretary, I will retain a position of leadership while handling correspondence and keeping track of meeting minutes."

"There will be a learning curve," Masin said as he reflected on Dion's new role.  "I have the utmost confidence that Liz will do a fantastic job."

Dion faces many challenges in her new position. Just as she was leaving on a vacation with her family, the State Education Department released its new requirements for state standardized tests.

"The state just upped the ante," Dion said. "As recently as yesterday, they've raised the minimum requirement for the state exams from a 65 to an 80. That's a big leap. And it's a wall to climb."

Dion said she has legitimate concerns about getting the district's students up to this level. The state exams were just completed, she said, so there are kids whose scores now fall below state standards.

"This does pose an immediate challenge for our students and their parents," she said.

But in the long term, Dion said she sees the benefits.

"Ultimately, I think it's a good thing," she said. "It gets our kids more prepared for college and that's what we want."

When asked exactly how she thinks the school board and administration can help raise the bar on test scores, Dion said it's simple.

"We have to work with our kids," Dion said. "We have to work closely with them, give them the teaching and resources they need to succeed. It's as simple as that."