I would like to take this opportunity to say farewell and thanks to the Mineola School District for 15 wonderful years as K-12 director of science. With the elimination of the director of science position in the school district's reorganization plan, I have accepted a similar position in the Manhasset School District, effective July 1.

The students, staff, board of education and parents in this school district are wonderful. The students have shown character and effort. The staff are professional and hard-working. The board of education and parents have supported my efforts to develop a successful science program.

The last 15 years have been filled with many changes in education and a number of science initiatives. We have introduced New York State science testing in the fourth and eighth grades. The elementary science curriculum has gone through three major revisions. The secondary science staff have implemented the Regents Action Plan in the late '80s and, in recent years, have put into place new Core Curricula in the middle school and high school and four new Regents exams. The high school department has gone from one Advanced Placement science course in 1987 to four Advanced Placement courses for 2002-2003.

I have enjoyed working with an outstanding group of administrators. I will especially miss my fellow directors. We have enjoyed the excitement of developing things like the Regents Plus program, the Evening Regents Reviews, the Saturday Academy, and having a major role in developing our district's essential curriculum.

It hasn't all seemed like work. Elementary and middle school science nights and MST (math, science, and technology) nights have been exciting and fun.

Finally, I have said it to many people. I am proud of the Mineola School District and community. My measure of the pride is that I have always wished that my two children could have attended the Mineola Schools rather than the schools they did attend.

J. Scott McMullen

Director of Science