For the first time in nearly two decades, the Sewanhaka Central High School District does not have Dr. George Goldstein at the helm. On Tuesday, July 13, the district's new superintendent Dr. John Williams, participated in his first board of education meeting in the Sewanhaka District.

During the reorganization meeting, it was status quo for the board. Robert Burke and Archie Cheng of Floral Park-Bellerose, Deansa Doreson and Aubrey Phillips of Elmont, Jean Fichtl and Dr. Roger Roess of Franklin Square and Patricia Rudd and Louis Zacarese of New Hyde Park-Garden City Park were all selected by the component districts to serve on the high school board with Cheng serving as president and Dr. Roess serving as vice president.

Phillips welcomed Dr. Williams on behalf of the Elmont community. For the board member, working with Dr. Williams provides a clean slate. It's no secret that Phillips and Dr. Goldstein were not the best of friends.

When it came time for the public comments, Elmont Library Board President Bryan Lynn thanked the high school board for their authorization so that the Elmont Library project can proceed. The high school board agreed to sell the Elmont Library a part of the Alva T. Stanforth land to build a new library on. Both the sale and the construction of the new library were approved by voters.

Margaret Murphy of Franklin Square, president of the Concerned Parents of the Sewanhaka Central High School District, welcomed Dr. Williams and expressed hope that there would be a new openness and transparency to decision making in the district. Murphy asked to meet with Dr. Williams to express concerns.