DISTRICT BUDGET PASSES
Residents in the Deer Park School District voted to support the 2012-13 budget on May 15, by a vote of 1346 to 502. Thank you to all residents who participated in this important vote. In addition, congratulations to Donna Marie Elliott and Robert Marino who were reelected to the Board of Education.
District Receives Record Breaking Energy Rebate
As a result of a multi-year initiative, the district has implemented and is now receiving both financial and environmental benefits from its energy efficiency upgrades. In April, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and National Grid visited the district for a tour of the facilities and the multitude of projects completed. To date, the district has earned $371,490 in rebates, the largest of any school district on Long Island, and was presented with a check from LIPA.
These energy savings will continue to grow and will be realized in the form of energy management systems, heat distribution systems, computer power management systems, water conservation, lighting fixture controls and renewable energy systems.
Pictured below, National Grid and LIPA present district representatives with an energy efficiency rebate check. (Seated l-r) Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Marguerite Jimenez, Board of Education trustee Donna Marie Elliott, Superintendent of Schools Eva J. Demyen, Board of Education President John Gouskos, Board of Education trustee Keith Rooney, Plant Facilities Administrator Kirk J. Gostkowski; (standing l-r) Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Frank Caliguiri, LIPA/National Grid Account Executive Rob Scipioni, LIPA Chief Operating Officer Michael Hervey, Energy Solutions Performance Engineer Johnson Controls Thomas Lanzilotta and LIPA Director of Municipal and School Programs Walter Hoefer.
Deer Park Teachers Reopen Contract to Save Money and Preserve Programs
The Deer Park School District has announced a contract agreement with the Deer Park Teachers’ Association that will save the district millions and continue to support a high level of instruction.
Through collaborative efforts between the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools and Teachers’ Association, the modifications will reduce costs by $1.2 million through the elimination of a deferred 3% raise that was set to go into effect for the 2012-13 school year. In addition, teachers have taken advantage of a retirement incentive, which will save district taxpayers an additional $1.5 million. As a result of these substantial savings, the district will not have to excess teachers or eliminate programs in order to meet budgetary restrictions.
“Last year the Deer Park Teachers’ Association deferred a 3% raise, which freed up $1.2 million for the district in the current school year,” explained Deer Park Teachers’ Association President Bruce Sander. “Having considered the economic climate, we once again came together as an educational community to respond with a plan that benefited all parties and preserved programs.”
As part of the new agreement, teachers will no longer have to complete the non-mandated 15 hours of professional development that were previously outlined in their contract. To maintain instructional growth, professional development training will be facilitated during the teacher’s day around their classroom schedule.
“Our top priority as a district is to provide students with a comprehensive and rewarding educational experience,” stated Superintendent of Schools Eva J. Demyen. “These savings help us to control costs for taxpayers while providing students with a strong academic program and the opportunity to explore a wide variety of electives and extracurricular activities.”
Change in School Closing
As per New York State law, school districts must remain closed on the Monday following any major holiday that falls on a Sunday. In accordance with this regulation the Deer Park School District was closed on Monday, January 2, 2012 and will remain open on Friday, May 25, 2012.