The June 9 Levittown Board of Education meeting began on a lighthearted note, honoring many members of the community for their service and achievements.

The first people honored were the valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 1999 at both Division Avenue High School and MacArthur High School. Dr. Harry Chertok, Division Avenue High School Principal and MacArthur High School Assistant Principal Arlene Scozzari introduced the top of the class at each of the schools and spoke about each of the students' achievements.

Following the introduction of the valedictorians and salutatorians, the district took the opportunity to thank the district residents who served on the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Budget. This committee, made up of various community members, who volunteer their time, makes various recommendations to the board and administration about the budget and what they feel should or should not be included in that year's planning.

The recognition of the citizens advisory committee was followed by a presentation to George Bruno, Jr., a school board member who chose not to run for re-election this past May. Superintendent of Schools Herman Sirois presented Bruno with a plaque and stated, "George has served as a board member now for three years. This is a job that doesn't pay and has a lot of aggravation and we all owe George a lot of thanks for the time he has put in."

Bruno has been a resident of Levittown for 18 years. He has a very active and long list of community activities including: coaching soccer in Levittown and Hicksville, a certified coach on many levels and a certified referee, and Division Avenue Music Parents Association. Prior to his tenure on the board, Bruno served on the citizens budget advisory committee for three years, on the bond committee and on the bond watchdog committee.

Bruno thanked the administration for all the help and support they gave him, especially when he first joined the board in 1996. He reminisced about when he first joined the board and a member of the administration called him at home and took the time to discuss everything with him for over an hour. "Also I would like to thank the board members. The ones I worked with for one year, two years, three years. It was great," said Bruno. He noted that when he first became a board member he visited other districts' board meetings and noticed that they argued and disagreed during the meetings and still disagreed following executive session. Bruno stated that the great thing about the Levittown board was that although they disagree and argue, when they leave executive session to go home, the members all talk to each other. He added, "And that makes for a better district for the kids."

Bruno also thanked his wife, who he said never in three years looked at his board packet, asked him questions about what happened in executive session, or complained when he often had to go out to board meetings or other events. Bruno concluded, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Board Trustee Michael Moriarity took the opportunity later in the meeting to thank Bruno, as did Board President Diane Shapiro who said Bruno has, "been a real asset to the board."

Following Bruno's speech Assistant Superintendent for Administration Gerald Claps introduced the retirees from both the instructional and non-instructional staff, which he referred to as "The Retiring Class of 1999." Each of the retirees were thanked for their many years of service to the district. Included in the retiring class was Lee Road Principal Barbara Hornak.

All of the evening's honorees and those present at the meeting were invited to a reception honoring the salutatorians, valedictorians, advisory committee, Bruno, and the retirees before the business part of the school board meeting began.