William Floyd School District: Board Of Education Honored For School Board Recognition Week

Press release from the William Floyd School District:

October 19, 2021

The New York State School Boards Association recognizes October 18-22 as School Board Recognition Week, an opportunity to promote awareness and understanding of the important work performed by school board members. The William Floyd School District recognizes, honors and expresses its gratitude toward the members of the Board of Education for their dedicated service to the students and residents of the William Floyd community.

“The seven members of the William Floyd Board of Education volunteer their personal time to make sure that our district is running and performing at an optimal level,” said Kevin M. Coster, superintendent of schools, William Floyd School District. “These dedicated public servants spend numerous hours studying education issues and regulations, considering difficult decisions on programming, developing a budget that meets the needs of our students while at the same time being sensitive to our community, and so much more.”

The seven volunteer elected members of the Board of Education are: Robert Vecchio, president; April Coppola, vice president; and fellow trustees Robert Taiani, Robert Guerriero, Lorraine Mentz, Angelo Cassarino and Jennifer Heitman.

A high-functioning Board of Education is integral to the overall success of a school district. At William Floyd, the Board of Education continues to operate at high levels as evidenced by the district’s increasing graduation rate (91.5% in August 2021), up from 67% in 2006. Additionally, under their leadership, the district offers award-winning music, fine arts, athletics, science research and career and technical education programs – all working together to ensure students are well-rounded and career/college ready to achieve success in the next chapters of their lives. The Board of Education also oversees fiscally sound and responsible business operations, including increased district bond ratings that are beneficial to taxpayers, while achieving the top ratings on the New York State Comptroller’s fiscal stress reports (zero fiscal stress). In 2017, the community overwhelmingly approved the Board of Education’s capital project referendum, providing state-of-the-art facilities, athletic fields, and an adaptive playground for the community to enjoy.

The Board was also instrumental in the creation of two new schools over the past five years – the Floyd Academy and the William Floyd Learning Center - two programs that have been vital in ensuring no student “falls between the cracks.” Students enrolled in these programs are succeeding and doing so in their home district with their peers.

Additionally, the district’s elementary schools continue to be the foundation of the success that student achievement is built upon and play a vital role in getting to where the district is now with a 91.5% graduation rate. The two middle schools are also performing at high levels, taking on the challenges of increasing rigor and bringing in high school Regents courses to all students in the eighth grade, changing outcomes for sixth- through eighth-grade students and helping them be well prepared for high school.

“The leadership, dedication and integrity of our Board of Education are vital to the success of the William Floyd School District,” said Mr. Coster. “On behalf of the district, I thank each and every one of them for their invaluable service to our students and community.”

This press release was produced by the William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.