The issue of space is nothing new to the Mineola Board of Education but this may be the first time it has applied to the dais. They have been permanently joined by three more colleagues; High School Assistant Principal Mimi Russo, Director of Special Education Janice Patterson and Director of Guidance Ron Giancola.

The dais as it stood with the trustees and the administration members, did not represent the full central office explained Financial Officer and dais member John Jackson.

The benefits of the additions will be readily available information and more specific and therefore more accurate responses to questions from concerned district residents and audience members.

The additional central office members will be present at all open board meetings and special works sessions if need be.

Along with their presence at the meetings, Patterson and Giancola have been given new responsibilities under the umbrella of the Division of Learning Services.

The Division of Learning Services will handle counseling and guidance as well as some health services for the high school and middle school as prescribed by the state.

Patterson described her new responsibilities as, "all those services that it takes to facilitate the learning process."

Russo has had her responsibilities as assistant principal spread out among the other assistant principals of the high school, Michael Terc and Reginald Carter, so she can focus on Curriculum and Reconstruction for the district.

The additions to the dais reflect suggestions made by CELT, an outside agency advising the Mineola schools in its project to revitalize the district.

However, Jackson noted, that the district had the final say on the matter. Said Jackson, "Whenever CELT makes a recommendation, we have to decide if it works."

Apparently, the board of education agrees with this suggestion, and officially welcomed the three new dais members at the last Thursday board of education open meeting.