The mood was festive prior to the Levittown Board of Education meeting held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Levittown Memorial Education Center. The MacArthur High School Winter Wind Ensemble performed holiday songs and received celebratory applause.

The meeting was called to order by School Board President James Moran at 8 p.m. Schools Superintendent Dr. Sirois followed by thanking the students and staff at MacArthur High School for their music presentation and artwork displayed in the boardroom and main hallway of the LMEC.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Robert Davis then introduced John Bifolco, the principal of MacArthur High School. Bifolco stated, "The new nine-period days allow us to afford exciting courses like forensics as well as marine biology and environmental science." With regard to the forensic science course, Bifolco stated, "In its first year it has attracted 229 students in nine separate sections, a huge success anyway you look at it." Bifolco then introduced students Andrew Haim, Emily Cacace, Aliona McCod, Christopher D'Aguanno, Lisa Fitzgerald, Edward Ranuska and Nikki Silver from Ms. Terracciano and Ms. Reynolds' forensic science classes. The students staged a mock crime scene investigation and highlighted some techniques of the forensic science curriculum. They demonstrated the processing of a crime scene, in this case a homicide, by the use of evidence such as fingerprints and hair samples, which ultimately led them to their suspect. The skit was both informative and at times amusing and the students received resounding applause.

Board Vice President Diane Shapiro reported that board members recently attended various district-wide functions. They included the ELL (English Language Learners) luncheon which recognizes students from around the world who attend Levittown Schools, the annual Division Avenue High School luncheon which recognizes the top 10 percent of the senior class and the MacArthur High School Artisans Recognition Luncheon. In addition, board members also attended the MacArthur High School Parent Athletic Club awards night recognizing the school football players and cheerleaders. Also, members of the board attended the recent Drug Abuse Awareness presentation hosted by the Levittown Council of PTAs.

The meeting continued with the opportunity for the public to be heard. Cathy Kenny of Levittown and current co-president of the Salk/MacArthur Parent Teacher Student Association addressed the board concerning the ongoing traffic situation at MacArthur High School. Kenny told the board she had received information that proposals from outside engineering firms regarding the traffic congestion would soon be presented to the board and traffic safety committee. Kenny stated, "I urge you as board members to have an open mind and not to jump to a quick cure for this traffic problem. All the parties involved have to be informed of what is going on, on a step-by-step basis. I urge you to remember the most important factor to be considered in all of this is the safety of our students. Time is not an issue, but safety is."

Tracey Thomas of Wantagh, a parent of students currently attending Salk and MacArthur, also addressed the board concerning the traffic situation at MacArthur. Regarding the hiring of an engineering firm she stated, "I am in full support of this. I feel an expert should be brought in because there is so much uncertainty going on." Thomas further commented referring to an idea to build a driveway on school property stretching from Hunt Road to the student parking lot.

"Directing the flow of traffic off the main roads onto school property is one of the most absurd things I ever heard. Do we want our kids to be hit on school grounds where parents believe our children are safe? If a child gets hit on school property the school would be held liable. Is that what the school board wants? I don't think so. I am an advocate for our children's safety as I hope the school board is."

Mrs. Knapp of Levittown also addressed the board regarding the MacArthur High School traffic situation. She concurred with Kenny and Thomas regarding enlisting the services of an engineering firm to solve the traffic problem.

Knapp said to the board, "You have an obligation to hire an expert. When it comes to children's safety I don't think you should have lay people determining their fate. Three children were hit last year and luckily none of them were seriously injured. I think time is of the essence. It's been going on far too long and I would like something to be done before a child gets killed or seriously hurt."

Assistant Superintendent for Business Jeffrey Carlson responded that he is in possession of a proposal from one engineering firm which he will submit to the board during the executive session to be held after the board meeting. He further explained that he is awaiting an additional proposal from a second engineering firm, which he will submit to the board and share with the traffic safety committee as soon as he receives it.

Some board members were totally unaware that the two engineering firms were solicited regarding the traffic problem at MacArthur High School. Board trustee Michael Moriarity stated, "I don't recall having anybody over here say they were getting proposals from an outfit on the traffic. That's why I'm a little surprised tonight. If you're sharing this information with the committee or the committee is coming up with this, this is the board. Am I the only one that doesn't know about this?"

Board Vice President Diane Shapiro followed and said, "We're all sitting here not knowing what's going on. We haven't heard anything about this. It's all of a sudden popping up. We need to know what's going on."

After some discussion among the board on who knew and who didn't know about the hiring of an engineering firm, Board President James Moran stated, "We need to get the proposals and take it from there. The board has the final say. Let's not argue about it. We'll bring it up at the next meeting Jan. 11. Hopefully we'll have something by then."

Board President James Moran then called on R.S. Abrams, managing partner of R.S. Abrams & Co., LLP auditing firm for the annual audit report of the Levittown School District for the period ending June 30, 2005.

Abrams opened his remarks by stating, "I want to compliment the good operations you have in Levittown." He went on to thank Assistant Superintendent for Business Jeffrey Carlson and the district staff in general for their cooperation during the audit. The audit focused on areas of high risk. In addition, personal interviews of employees were conducted along with the use of questionnaires. "After conducting over 600 samples and testing computer controls, we found no major weaknesses in the internal control structure of the Levittown School District; this is very important" commented Abrams. The report indicated this was due in large part to the segregation of duties and having two people involved in every process. The auditors made some recommendations regarding written policy, student activity funds, reducing the number of accounts and quarterly reports of after-school activities. There was open discussion between the board and members of the audit firm pertaining to these items. Immediately following, the board voted unanimously to accept the finalized annual audit report.

The Levittown School District later released the following statement to the Levittown Tribune: "At its regular board meeting on Dec. 7, the Levittown Board of Education received considerable praise from its external auditors. This praise came during the auditors' report of the annual audit as required by state law.

"This is the first audit completed under the revised accountability legislation passed by the New York State Legislature last year. The auditors praised the school district for its excellent internal controls and for its sound fiscal practice and planning.

"Over the past decade, the Levittown School District has been in the forefront of implementing fiscal accountability and fiscal stability. The district's multi-year budget planning process continues to receive praise, and assures district residents of tax stability for the foreseeable future."

A recommendation was made by Board trustee John Garvey that Board President James Moran chair or appoint an official committee regarding the restoration and improvement of the LMEC track and field dubbed "The Field of Dreams." Moran indicated he would accomplish this via a resolution at the next meeting.

The board will reconvene at the Memorial Education Center for a regular meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. A planning session is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m.