board of education half hollow hills central school district meeting of ...

BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING – JUNE 20, 2011
Mrs. Catapano read the following letter:
“It was with very mixed emotions that I decided not to continue as
a Trustee for the Board of Education. It has truly been a privilege
and an honor to serve each and every one of you, and assist in the
education of our children. I am very proud of the many programs
that we have implemented for our kids from the enrichment
program at the elementary level, universal pre-K, the cross district
theater program for the fifth grade and the combined middle
school plays, the enactment of sixth grade foreign language and
our elementary foreign language clubs. At the high school level,
the expansion of our AP course offerings, and electives, the nine
period day at the secondary level, the expansion of sports teams
and the expansion of our research program to begin in ninth
grade. We, administration, PTA, teachers and the Board of
Education should be very proud of what we have accomplished.
We truly have transformed the lives of children.
We as members of the Board of Education have been through some
wonderful and sad times. I know that I leave the Board of
Education in very capable hands. Continue to listen to the Half
Hollow Hills Community, PTA residents and taxpayers. We are
now in a very difficult economic climate. We have a tax cap
looming that may very shortly be imposed on us by New York
State. You have some very difficult decisions to be made if this
occurs. I know you will do what is right for the children of our
community. They deserve nothing but our best efforts!
Continue to listen to the taxpayers and their ideas. Take the time
to educate them on our decisions. Search for ways to improve the
bottom line. They too, want to do what is right for our children.
I have truly learned something from every member of the Half
Hollow Hills Community. I want to thank them for trusting me
with their children’s education. To Dr. Karnilow, Kelly, Patrick,
Mary, Victor and Mike who is now retired, I have learned so much
from each and every one of you. So thank you. It has been an
education for me!
I will leave by saying that I am not gone, but moving on to a new
chapter in my life, and I will cherish the time we have spent
together! Thank you!”
Mr. Marcucci expressed his gratitude to everyone this evening.
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