The audience at the Glen Cove Board of Education meeting Monday, April 18 was treated to the euphonious sounds of the Glen Cove High School Select Chorale under the direction of Edward Norris. The chorale has recently appeared at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and Queens College and will soon be performing at the United Nations Building with the jazz ensemble. The chorale will be going to the Hershey Park competition, along with the wind ensemble and jazz ensemble; in May, both the chorale and the jazz band will be part of the NYSSMA competition at Hofstra. Closer to home, Glen Cove's talented high school musicians will appear at the high school spring concert, Wednesday, May 18.

Following the musical introduction, there was another introduction as Board President Janet Bates-Wilkins presented newly-appointed superintendent of schools, Dr. Laurence Aronstein, to community members. Dr. Aronstein, a resident of Great Neck, will take the reins of the school district as of July 31, but is planning to spend as much time as possible before that with Dr. Jerry Cicchelli, getting a sense of the schools and the community. He will be an honorary member of what has come to be known, affably, as "the Jerry Cicchelli Road Show."

In her introduction, Ms. Bates-Wilkins reported that Dr. Aronstein fulfills all requirements for the position as specified by parents, faculty, community members, government officials and members of community organizations who presented the board with input as to what was needed in the next superintendent.

"The community asked for an educator committed to preserving a positive atmosphere of respect and cultural sensitivity in a diverse community. Dr. Aronstein spent the past eight years as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Copiague School District in Suffolk County. Copiague is a district with demographics of approximately one-third African American, one-third Hispanic, and one-third white students, and economic and limited English proficiency needs similar to the Glen Cove School District," Ms. Bates-Wilkins said. She added that interviews with parents, administrators, teachers and community members in Copaigue confirmed Dr. Aronstein's commitment to the community as a whole, and to success for all children.

Under Dr. Aronstein's leadership, the number of students graduating from Copiague High School with a Regents diploma has increased, and fourth- and eighth-grade English Language Arts and math scores have improved. Dr. Aronstein has aligned curriculum with state standards, developed student assessments at every grade level and provided for training and leadership in staff development and differentiated instruction for teachers.

Ms. Bates-Wilkins went on to say that the Glen Cove community asked for "an educator with the creativity to marshal federal, state and community resources and agencies to benefit all students. Dr. Aronstein wrote successful grants proposals in Copiague for $2 million, including 21st Century Schools, universal Pre-Kindergarten, extended school day and violence prevention programs, English literacy and civics education programs, dual language programs and NY GEARUP programs."

Prior to his stint in Copiague's administration, Dr. Aronstein had worked as a high school principal, a middle school principal and an elementary school principal in school districts in Westchester County and in Massachusetts. He began his career as a science teacher in the New York City public schools.

Ms. Bates-Wilkins concluded, "Of course, these are only a few of the highlights of Dr. Aronstein's extensive career. We are extremely confident in our selection of Dr. Aronstein to build on the many attributes of our school district. He brings the experience and leadership qualities that we are confident will serve us well in the years ahead. We thank the community for their involvement and their support in making this a successful search and in welcoming Dr. Aronstein to our community."

Dr. Aronstein kept his remarks very brief, stating he is delighted to be coming to Glen Cove and wants to help make the district the best district it can be. "I promise you this: I won't let you down," he said.

In his reports, Dr. Cicchelli remarked that he wants to ensure a smooth transition, so he will be working with Dr. Aronstein to inform him of what's currently going on in the district, what decisions have been made for the coming year, and what is in the works for the future. "Before I leave, Dr. Aronstein will be fully apprised of all he needs to do his job."

Later in the evening, a parent asked the terms of the superintendent's contract and his salary and was told the contract is for three years at a salary of $205,000.

The board announced the final budget proposal and voted unanimously to adopt it. The total budget amount is $57,997,299, a 6.8 percent budget to budget increase.

On the ballot on May 17, along with the budget proposition, will be two other propositions residents can vote for or against. One will allow the board to add an additional sum, not to exceed $400,000, to fund tax certioraris, and to reserve the right to bond amounts above the $400,000. The other proposition authorizes the board to allow for up to an additional $100,000 for purchases of educational equipment and to upgrade the school computer and technology network.

In answering questions from the audience, Mr. Wurtz stated that the tax lexy will be approximately 9 percent. The additional $540,000 covered by Propositions 2 and 3 represents approximately $6 per year per average assessed home.

Dr. Cicchelli again informed the public that this is a "meat and potatoes" budget, in which new items are not so much being added but are being restored following this year's austerity budget. "It's very much returning things to the way they were a year ago, but, of course, with mandated increases," he said.

In a statement from the board of education, Ms. Bates-Wilkins called the budget "an investment through three R's - reorganization, restoration, and rebuilding."

She said that reorganization has taken place in district offices in order to improve internal controls, increase efficiency and create more cost-effective services. Analysis of the elementary education sequence has led to reorganization of the elementary buildings and the move of the fifth-graders, which is designed to result in a more nurturing and consistent environment for fifth-graders and a more effective use of support services for middle schoolers, added Ms. Bates-Wilkins.

Restoration of 10 positions, as well as athletic programs at the middle school and transportation for interscholastic events have been included in the budget. According to the board's statement, "The community was heard at the budget forum, when they said reduce class sizes, and no more cuts to athletics, music and special education."

Ms. Bates-Wilkins continued, " Rebuilding begins with the savings generated from the energy performance contract, allowing the community to benefit from $8 million for new boilers, lighting, windows and roofing, with no impact on taxpayers." High on the district's list of priorities is upgrading the computers in the district and keeping technology current.

The board's statement pointed out that, while this year's budget increase is 6.8 percent, the average budget increase for the past four years has been 3.17 percent, which has "taken its toll on the financial strength of the school district," resulting in the fund balance last year being utilized to reduce property taxes and dipping to below the 2 percent allowed by the state for emergencies and contingencies. With this year's increase of 6.8 percent, the average for the five-year period ending in 2006 will be 3.9 percent. Ms. Bates concluded by saying, "This budget is financially sound, educationally sound, and deserves the serious consideration of the community."

On Monday, May 9, the board will hold a budget hearing, required to be held between seven and 14 days of the budget vote. This year the budget vote and school board election will be held Tuesday, May 17.