Schools
Highlights From Aug. 23 Wantagh Board of Education Meeting
A recap of items addressed at Thursday night's meeting submitted by school district.
The following recap of the Aug. 23 Wantagh Board of Education meeting was submitted by School Information Liaison Debbie Pinciotto.
After the board members concluded with the business of agenda items, the following issues were addressed:
• With the hurricane season upon us, Board President Michael Cucci reminded citizens that is deemed a Red Cross designated emergency shelter with provisions on site.
• An update was given on the playground after it suffered arson damage in a fire this summer and closed for safety concerns. The school district is working with the insurance companies and the playground providers and hoping that the playground will be open again by late October. Authorities are still investigating the crime and police are viewing videos from the scene. For a Patch article on this issue, click .
• Superintendent Phillip D'Angelo announced that the district is working with the Nassau County District Attorney's office towards retribution for the vandalism that occurred at certain schools at the end of last year. Cucci emphasized that the Wantagh School District has zero tolerance for vandalism.
•The appointment of Debbie Pinciotto as School Information Liaison was announced. Pinciotto is a Wantagh resident who brings years of experience in advertising, design and communications along with a strong community commitment to serve the district in a public relations capacity.
• A Phase II committee was formed to address both declining enrollment and full day kindergarten. The committee is chaired by D'Angelo and consists of selected members of the community based on their experience and knowledge. The meetings will begin at the end of August with an anticipated resolution by December.
• Trump On The Ocean compensation status-there has been communications with Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Governor, Senators and Assemblymen all on behalf of the Wantagh School District. D'Angelo said that State Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick, and Assemblyman David McDonough, R-Merrick, are proponents for the district as the school board works to build a relationship with the Trump Organization.
•In a concerted effort to be more transparent, the Wantagh Board of Education has modified its state ordered Audit Committee charter. In the past the Audit Committee was composed of only five board members. The new charter is comprised of five members, including two board trustees and three members from the community. The committee will meet approximately six times per year with all district auditors. Interested citizens who would like to be considered for the committee can contact Assistant Superintendent for Business Dana DiCapua at dicapua@wantaghschools.org.
