Second graders from Deirdre Bambrick's class at Searingtown School presented their overview of Music in the Classroom to the Herricks School Board and more than 30 parents and community guests. The students led The Star Spangled Banner and sang five of the songs that they have learned this school year. "In my class I use music to help students learn in all areas of the curriculum, especially reading," said Deirdre Bambrick. "Using music is an exciting method of teaching for me and most importantly, exciting and worthwhile for my students." The students will continue to learn songs throughout the year that reinforce concepts being taught in the classroom. Superintendent of Herricks Schools Dr. John Bierwirth made an offer to the school board to forgo a raise for the current school year. He said, "I would like a raise as much as anybody else, but I think that we are in for some very tough times and I think it's the appropriate thing to do at this time. Board president Richard Buckley thanked him and said, "It's a very magnanimous gesture from you; we know times are hard." On behalf of the Herricks Indo-U.S. Community, Kirit Panchamia, Roopali Sharma and Jonai Singh and several other members in attendance, presented the school board with 13 items of sound equipment with an estimated value of $10,267. Roopali Sharma, vice president of the organization, read a letter sent from Dr. Kusum Viswanathan, president of the Herricks Indo-U.S. Community. "It has been an absolute privilege of this organization to make this donation that fulfills the dreams of the high school students and will benefit them immensely for years to come," wrote Dr. Viswanathan. School board members thanked the organization and expressed appreciation for the group's constant service to the community. The school expects to have the equipment installed by December. The board met, prior to the regular meeting, with RS Abrams & Co. LLC. to conclude the auditing of the district. At the regular meeting Alexandra Battaglia from the audit company said the district is in good financial standing. She also thanked Helen Costigan and the business office staff for maintaining the records and preparing the financial statements. RS Abrams managing partner was also present and said, "I was so well-pleased with the results that I had to come and make sure the board and the community knew what a great job is being done at Herricks." There is an excess in the New York State Health Insurance Plan (NYS HIP) budget that will be resolved by a repayment of the margin in the approximate amount of $880,000 and a reduction in the 2009 premiums of nearly $480,000. Dr. Bierwirth explained, "This present year New York state and participating agencies have paid 10 percent more in premiums than was really necessary to operate the program." Dr. Bierwirth reassured employees that the excess in premiums does not change the program, the benefits or the reserves of the program.

Last weekend, members of the board attended the 89th Annual Convention and Educational Trade Show hosted by the New York State School Board Association in New York City. Board vice president Peter Grisafi attended one workshop called Flip This Classroom that discussed the architectural considerations for classroom environments such as temperature, light, sound and layout. Vice president Grisafi said, "When you enhance the sound in the classroom so that every child can hear properly the grade results, increased 20 percent versus those classrooms where it was not instituted in. "

The conference covers professional development for school board members and addresses many of the issues that districts face including energy policies, school budgeting, construction contracting.

Board president Richard Buckley attended the Tri-M Music Honor Society's first concert of the year this week. Performances were given by the Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir and Jazz Choir. He commented, "The level of musicianship there is just profound and they've only been at it for seven weeks, As a music teacher I would think that was their final concert of the year; it was so wonderful." Dr. John Bierwirth presented the members of the school board with a framed photograph of staff and students from Shelter Rock Academy in honor of Herricks School Board Recognition Week. Photography equipment of estimated value of $1,000 was donated to the school district by Sara Katz of Jamaica, NY. Mr. and Mrs. Jeetendra Patel donated one SMARTBoard to Searingtown School with an estimated value of $1,839. The SMARTBoard is a touch-sensitive display that can be connected to a computer. The board can be used by front or rear projection and also as an interactive display. As a result of an article in The New York Times on May 16, the school board was contacted by a British filmmaker to highlight the district's diversity as part of a best practices series about schools worldwide. The filmmaker completed filming this week. The board will announce when the footage can be viewed or purchased. The class trip has been approved for Herricks High School French language students to travel to Quebec, Canada from Feb.13-18. The board made two revisions to the Immunization Policy 5420.2 in accordance with state health and school department regulations. The first revision adds tetanus and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) to the list of required immunizations prior to enrollment in Herricks Public Schools. The second revision amends the statement for exemption from immunization. The request for exemption is based on religious beliefs. A parent/guardian can return a notarized copy of the school's exemption statement. The board approves an agreement with SCOPE Education Services of Smithtown to provide a senior citizen continuing education program to persons at least 60 years old. The program is free to district residents; all surrounding residents will be charged. The contract allows for the cost of the program plus an additional administrative fee of 15 percent of the total cost. The program will end on Aug. 31.

The board approved a bid of $50 made by Nesco Bus Maintenance Inc. for the removal of a 1992 Carpenter (#20) school bus, previously resolved as surplus. The bus will be scrapped.

The board accepted a donation of $440 from the Herricks Art Booster Association to cover the cost of a permit fee at Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson. The permit will be obtained to host the 2009 Herricks High School Art Exhibit from Jun. 1 to Jun. 15.

Approval for an ice cream vending machine to be placed in Herricks High School was given. The contract will be made with Island Ice Cream of Northport. The school receives 25 percent of the proceeds from the machine.

A new textbook has been approved for seventh and eighth grade Italian language classes.

Contract extension approved for Network Outsource of New Hyde Park to provide three positions from Nov.1 through June 30. One high level network and computer support technician not to exceed $83,276.80; one computer support technician not to exceed $51,571.20; one project manager for miscellaneous support as needed not to exceed $35,000.

The next regular meeting will be held at the Herricks Community Center on Nov. 6 at 7:15 pm.