Late Superintendent Honored At BOE Meeting

The Massapequa Board of Education observed a moment of silence Thursday nightfor a lost member of their family; former Superintendent Herbert Pluschau, .

Superintendent Charles Sulc spoke very highly of Pluschau and his amazing 35-year tenure, during which he served the Massapequa School District in a number of different capacities.

“He started in 1953 as a substitute teacher. He then taught Physical Education and Health. He then became an Attendance Officer and a Varsity Basketball Coach,” he said. “Then he became a Vice Principal, and then Assistant Superintendent, and ultimately, the Superintendent of schools in 1982 until he retired in 1988.”

Sulc also remembered the many lives he touched.

“Some of you here knew him, and knew him well. If you don’t know him well, he’s the kind of guy that you would want to know well,” he said. “He was a very charismatic person, but most importantly, he was a man among men. He was fair, he was reasonable, and he was friendly, and he always did what was right.”

Meanwhile, three teachers who had been laid off back in May due to budget cuts found themselves reinstated after some schedule adjustments necessitated their return.

Danielle McCafferey and Megan Pavlick, both elementary teachers, and Lisa Innella, a Physical Education teacher, were all restored to their respective positions for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year, according to Sulc.

“We have been refining our master schedules for next year,” he said. “As a result of those refinements, three of our teachers who were excessed are coming back on a full-time basis.”

A plaque was also bestowed upon retiring Trustee Thomas Caltabiano. Board President Maryanne Fisher wished her friend and collegue well on his next endevor.

"He is dedicated, and his volunteer service has made things better for the students of Massapequa," she said. "Personally, I will miss him greatly."

Assistant Superintendent Lucille Iconis delivered an extensive presentation of the District’s successful Special Education programs, including the use of iPads to help students better communicate with their teachers.

Presentations were also held honoring many student achievements, including the deeds of the cast and crew of various school district musicals; the NYS AAV Championship Massapequa hockey team; the NYS and Nassau County Championship Track and Gymnastic teams; and teacher Jordan McCaw, who was recently awarded with the NYS Educator of Excellence award.

And finally, the Board approved the selection of ten deserving students to receive $5,000 each from the Edmund J. O’Connor and Louise O. Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The next meeting of the Massapequa Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, July 5, at 8 p.m.