A new school year has brought a new face to the Farmingdale Board of Education. On Sept. 14, Shari Bardash-Eivers, a 16-year resident of Farmingdale, was sworn-in as a trustee at the regular board meeting.

With the sworn-in Bardash-Eivers sitting in her seat, the meeting progressed as usual. During the public participation portion of the meeting Farmingdale residents expressed their concerns and gave comments on different issues of interest to them around the school community.

Following the public participation Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Robert Schultz gave a presentation on the school report card from the 2004-05 school year. He was glad to report that the Farmingdale School District showed improvement in most areas. Schultz pointed out at the meeting that while high achievement is important, continuous growth and learning is always more important. He showed numerous charts of Farmingdale's growth in all areas of testing ranging from the fourth grade testing scores to the high school Regents' exams results.

Dr. Schultz explained some changing elements in the district's future. For example, the No Child Left Behind policy will be beginning this current school year. Also there will be eight more tests given in the subjects of ELA and math for grades three, five, six and seven. Dr. Schultz also explained how some present policies will be phased out in the future. At the present time students may earn a 55 on all Regents tests and receive a local diploma. By 2008 they hope for this policy to have been phased out and all students must then be required to earn a 65 for their diplomas. Also in the 2006-07 school year Math A and B will end and the school will return to the three-year math program.

"We're going in the right direction," Schultz explained at the end of his presentation.

Soon after Schultz's presentation the meeting came to a close with the hope of a successful year. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19. For more information visit www.farmingdaleschools.com.