Business began with Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Robert Davis presenting the board with a report of a possible nine period day at the high schools. Currently, classes run for 47 minutes, however, in order to fit in nine periods per day, classes would be shortened to 42 minutes. Davis said 42 minutes is a typical period in Nassau County. Davis outlined the positive points of this notion, such as offering more electives to students. Davis also spoke about adding such electives as Introduction to Broadcasting, Ethics and Philosophy, Math Research and Digital Media. A nine period day would allow the high schools to increase the graduation requirement.

"This is the first year of the new Regents requirement," Davis said. "The new higher regents requirement promotes lower standards. In order to make sure that we maintain the standards we have had up until now, we need to have local requirements that are above the Regents diploma."

Such changes that could take place would be the requirement of taking math throughout all four years of high school, expanding the senior research paper and the requirement of a senior project. In addition, the nine period day would also allow the continuation of the transition to accelerated courses, rather than honors courses. This transition would allow students for example, to take the Regents in foreign language after two years, rather than three as they do now. Davis said if the board and the teachers agree to the nine period day, he can start scheduling as early as Feb. 1, and it can be instituted by this September, if they can budget for it. Board trustee John Garvey raised concerns about these new standards impacting student scores, and budgeting for more staff which will be required with the offering of more courses. Davis answered that the nine period day will offer more instruction and opportunities for most students.

The CPA firm Miller, Lilly & Pearce is the external auditor involved in the Roslyn school scandal. They are also currently the external auditor for Levittown School District. Beginning this week, Levittown school district will not be conducting business with the current firm and are reviewing proposals from other external audit firms on Long Island. Superintendent Dr. Herman Sirois told the board and community members that while Roslyn's experience was obviously very bad, Levittown's experience was very different. Lilly, the auditor for Levittown schools, did not partake in the Roslyn audit, but is part of the firm that did, Dr. Sirois said. He also commented that Lilly was a good auditor who went beyond state law and saved the school a lot of money through recommendations. Dr. Sirois said that in addition to hiring a new audit firm, the board has been completing a self review of internal controls and reviewing the function of the internal auditor to make sure that what happened in Roslyn, would never happen at Levittown.

Danielle Bransifordi approached the board with concerns about religious favoritism toward Chanukah at East Broadway. The mother of two sons in elementary school was upset when her children came home with crafts expressing the religious aspects of Chanukah such as the star of David, and only a Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer craft to represent Christmas. Sirois told Bransifordi that that issue has come to his attention and that Davis is looking into it.

Levittown resident Andy Booth then approached the Board questioning the issue of security cameras at Division Avenue High School. Assistant Superintendent for Administration Victor Longaro told Booth that he ordered digital video cameras for the high school and installation should begin next month.

New business included the creation of a School Finance Summit. This group will review and explore alternative means of funding public education in hope to ease the school property tax for taxpayers. The summit will be comprised of representatives of the boards of education from each school district in Nassau County and county, town and state elected officials from Nassau County.

The board approved the implementation of the revised senior citizen and persons with disabilities and limited income tax exemption.

The next Levittown Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in the board room at the Levittown Memorial Education Center on Abbey Lane.