The Copiague School District Board of Education and administration recently invited local, regional and state legislators, along with community members and staff members, to attend a breakfast during which student and district achievements were highlighted and concerns for the state budget were discussed.
New York State Senator Owen H. Johnson, New York State Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney, Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory, and Town of Babylon Councilwoman Jacqueline A. Gordon joined staff members, Board of Education members – President Laura Gavey, Vice President Rosemary Natoli, and trustees Michael Greb, Everett E. Newman III, and Brian Sales – PTA members, and community members. Mrs. Gavey and Superintendent of Schools Charles Leunig welcomed the legislators, thanking them for their support of the district and for their ongoing efforts in securing state aid. “We wouldn’t be the schools we are and Copiague wouldn’t be the community it is without your continued support,” said Mr. Leunig. Added Board President Mrs. Gavey, “It’s great to see so many people in one room supporting the education of our students.” She continued in her speech to discuss the governor’s proposed budget, which would include $2.7 million less in state aid for Copiague and the need for relief from the numerous mandated expenses. “We need mandate relief and we need it now. Unfunded mandates are costing us approximately $17 million. Imagine what we could do for our children and community with those funds.”
Following performances by the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Madrigal Choir, under the direction of Larry Wurtzel, and Danielle Rizzo’s first-grade class from Deauville Gardens Elementary School, who sang the District’s College Day song, attendees enjoyed video presentations highlighting the College Day initiative and other student achievements put together by Director of Technology Todd Harris. The Class of 2010 Top Ten were also introduced by High School Principal Albert H. Voorneveld, who shared information about each student’s achievements and future plans.
In closing the morning’s event and addressing the elected officials, Mr. Leunig stressed again the importance of providing all students with a quality education by allocating the funds needed to accomplish that.
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