Same School Board, New Look

Despite having the same faces, the Massapequa Board of Education will have a different look for the new school year.

The board held its reorganization meeting Monday night and elected a new president, vice president and secretary, while a long time administrator was sworn in as the new Superintendent.

Gary Bennett  was voted in as the new school board president in a 3-2 vote over previous president Maryanne Fisher.

Both nominees voted for themselves, while  board members Tim Taylor and Joseph LBella also voted for Bennett. Jane Ryan voted for Fisher.

The new Board president pledged to involve the public more.

"Were going to be asking for your input a more and more," he told those in attendance. "Because of the strain on our budget, we're, going to need to know what you feel at these meetings as often as you can."

Bennett also Fisher for her service on the board saying, "I hope that I can fill her shoes."

After serving a year as secretary, Jane Ryan was once again voted vice president replacing Tim Taylor by a 3-2 vote after getting votes from Fisher and LaBella, while Bennett voted for Taylor.

"I'm looking forward to a good year, doing a lot of student achievments, keeping the district fiscally balanced, and pressing along the solid path we were on until [Charles] Sulc retired," she said referring to the outgoing superintendent. She also said she was "Looking forward to working with the new superintendent Lucille Iconis.

LaBella was unanimously named secretary after Fisher asked not to be considered.

"I'm here to support the team," he said. "It's really a support role in case something happens to the president or vice president," he said. 

LaBella's vote was critical in brining about the change from Fisher to Bennett. A year ago LaBella voted for Fisher at the reorganization meeting.

"I just think it's good to change and see that the community sees we have a diverse group," he said. "We're just not all going to lockstep vote for the same people year in and year out. It's good to have a little different approach."

The school district's new leader was officially sworn in as well. New Superintendent Lucille Iconis addressed those in attendance.

" I am honored, humbled and privileged to be selected to lead this district," she said.  

Iconis said she hopes to make n impact despite a difficult economic climate.

"When I think about my time here and what I hope to accomplish here, that they remember this time as a time of looking at what was possible instead of what was probable. These are tough times," she said.

The board's next meeting will be on August 8.