[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6513752,"mediaKeyId","5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce","parentId",5067044,"title","Votes at a glance: Sewanhaka board approves multiple consent‑agenda items and ratifies teachers’ contract extension","audioSeconds",25,"startMs",1153000,"endMs",1178000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce&start=1153&end=1178","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce/thumbnail_1153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513752/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Sewanhaka-board-approves-multiple-consentagenda-items-and-ratifies-teachers-contract-extension","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513752-907ad17316d41d8d6ae965bdb9535cc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136642&Signature=cRmBgcRxvqFg2jOzxSvw9KmiXLshXja0ameoysJVHbQ8YrcF9~3hG-S2KG70y21Q7OeQJlIEjkIGvwhovBRwNDVxKnpHswjqw~RA6ylCArE10wYPr6PtTHYF0XFTsrXrIuM-ANZ9hVk8-6Pfe1S-bAceA641vXc3okpXgYcux~6~MEmMNZDwEXBc1ayVlFWw4v8B2GHw3HpxE5OkG2DKmAMA7eJcrrzyXLWE45CMX~KL7x3-9lPQ6w2jeqvdEfCtng8Pg2DHVUhmcA50PNRFLvOJq5lFUoNL1Hqx7jaggKaLiEs8aER9U3DZGqXXYkMhsrWOxwed6Q-KJyToyxNI0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sewanhaka CSHD","date","2025-06-25T01:53:19.023Z","article","The Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education approved multiple consent‑agenda items across the curriculum, finance, personnel, civil service, support services and legal sections of the agenda at its June meeting. The board also ratified a walk‑in resolution to extend the collective bargaining agreement with the Suwanaka Federation of Teachers.

Key actions recorded in the meeting transcript (motions approved):

- Approval of minutes from the May 27, 2025 regular board meeting. Motion carried after voice vote.
- Approval of board attendance at meetings and conferences for the 2025–26 school year (Item A). Motion carried.
- Approval of superintendent attendance at meetings and conferences for the 2025–26 school year (Item B). Motion carried.
- Curriculum items A through T (consent). Motion carried.
- Finance and operations items A through F (consent). Motion carried.
- Finance: other items 1–45 (agenda item G), with items 32–36 amended; motion carried.
- Use of school facilities (finance item H). Motion carried.
- Personnel agenda motions (multiple personnel items on the personnel agenda). Motion(s) carried.
- Civil service agenda items A through N. Motion carried.
- Support services items A and B. Motion carried.
- Legal agenda items A through D (action). Motion carried.
- Legal agenda items G through I (action). Motion carried.
- Walk‑in resolution (Item J): the board “ratifies and approves entry into an agreement with the Suwanaka Federation of Teachers to extend the collective bargaining agreement between the parties from 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2028.” Motion carried (moved by Mr. Edmond; second by Miss Peltonin; recorded as approved by voice vote).

How the votes were recorded: Most consent items were moved and carried by voice vote; the transcript logs movers and seconds in several instances but records outcomes generically as \"All in favor? Aye. Motion carries.\" The walk‑in resolution was moved and seconded and the transcript records the extension dates specifically.

Ending: The meeting adjourned after public comment and the board scheduled its next regular and organizational meeting for July 8.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sewanhaka CHSD Board of Education Board Meeting 6/24/25 @ 8pm","oneSentenceSummary","The Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education approved multiple consent‑agenda items and ratified a teachers’ contract extension during its June meeting.","taxTitle","SEWANHAKA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",66402,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6513757,"Sewanhaka board recognizes new tenured staff, retirees and senior athletic champions",155,910000,1065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce&start=910&end=1065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce/thumbnail_910000.jpg","/articles/6513757/New-York/Sewanhaka-board-recognizes-new-tenured-staff-retirees-and-senior-athletic-champions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513757-654ab416c2e0639f24cb05a66d59a723/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136642&Signature=AV2Tb0XFjnkizje0-lQgwTYnK78N1tEeq42Vvir1l0MDpySNDXt8AOopyyMlxyOjKN3ME8FfdZ64UVwbQzgNJrPmjLJcB18dCqc1QK~Y2isBbrAGzSIOqIYvvSoMyJKhvyT3zO7c0GKiFrJNucVy~IJJBowvrAa99DqCH~Grg0KlKFWAfoLteTC59h00KrtIKi~CnOvP6hTnh6mtggRuddm36MT4dDtnU-orIpQb16~6wSw-4mQvWVmqz1-P0VuqnqNyORX3ONGQSWU4vX8NC0WRUVHRrgbGA3XHHbZ~RBVH1qr3w2WX2s3pl8Omq1TIBjxflanGhRUxe7~CR89kKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sewanhaka Central High School District board honored recommended tenure recipients, retirees and student athletic achievements during its June meeting.

Tenure recognitions: Principals from each high school introduced teachers and staff the board had recommended for tenure. The list included classroom teachers, department chairpersons, counselors and teaching assistants across Elmont Memorial, Floral Park Memorial, H. Frank Carey, New Hyde Park Memorial and Sewanhaka High School. Examples announced during the meeting included Connor Bernardo (Elmont, business), Mikan Birceg (Elmont, science), Nicole Barbato (Floral Park, physical education), Jack Esposito (H. Frank Carey, math), Gina Rodriguez (New Hyde Park, assistant principal) and Isabella Avanzi (Sewanhaka, art). The meeting transcript records longer lists delivered by each school principal.

Retirements: The superintendent and district officials recognized 15 retirees from across the district, which the superintendent characterized as representing “close to 400 combined years experience” in the district. Retirees named included district athletic director Matt McClease, district attendance officer Henry Simpkins, counselors, teachers, typist clerks and other staff.

Athletic honors: The board recognized student athletic accomplishments including county and state champions. The transcript lists New York State Class 4 400‑meter champion Aiden Peterkin (Elmont) and state champions in the boys 4x400 relay — Khaleeb Harris, Dominic Collins, Rylan Richards and Aiden Peterkin — among others. The board and principals congratulated the students and coaches.

Personnel appointments: During the personnel section the board announced a recommended appointment for Tom Picariello as Director of Athletics and Physical Education for New Hyde Park Memorial High School and said TJ Burke is recommended to replace Matt McClease as district director of athletics, physical education and health. The transcript records the board welcoming both individuals and congratulating them.

Ending: The recognitions and personnel announcements were presented as ceremonial and celebratory items; the transcript does not record detailed related action minutes beyond the personnel motions recorded later in the meeting.","The district honored dozens of staff recommended for tenure and 15 retirees whose combined service the superintendent said totals about 400 years; the board and principals also recognized multiple Nassau and New York State track champions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6513762,"District presents cell‑phone policy for September implementation as parents warn enforcement will fall on staff",367,863000,1230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce&start=863&end=1230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce/thumbnail_863000.jpg","/articles/6513762/New-York/District-presents-cellphone-policy-for-September-implementation-as-parents-warn-enforcement-will-fall-on-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513762-9c4c3aabedafac31204c97942f7e7bd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136642&Signature=lqSMGGMot~vVqxWXRwpC-kTXI6IHklIGct2JhQj2D05eI0KC6CeOOUakivpdNiU6swRRzYXvWFtllVwZEECbpnsxmT6kZkDyrLR3de2LuQgrDVbow3lP3VYW54Qx-9M0yBjcKK8wETlcXfxs0iHtInzle0z2hKQPIVoTNc~w1mcjlgNyiQOUBIvzF98PSvkkh-pMfurDXqmWGfxRGzzBHAtl2bqS2sZYFQqmpo-mgx73~IEC-YY14QkpkOa~cLKuVgJdVUeBAZeCTOxRTPBraRTCCOokkHPJdO~LtbQG0~IbthZgmf39ZMrQCBBpnU3gDaeign07uya94C7LYsGrdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sewanhaka Central High School District presented a draft student electronic‑device policy at its June board meeting that would require students to store personal cell phones in lockers and not access them during the school day, with implementation scheduled for September.

Why it matters: The proposed policy stems from the governor's cell‑phone ban and aims to create a distraction‑free learning environment. Parents and students told the board they are concerned about enforcement, equity, and how the district will handle genuine emergencies and students who transition between schools or leave for lunch.

Policy details presented: Superintendent Miss Grama said the policy reflects the governor’s ban and lays out district implementation steps. Exemptions described in the presentation include students leaving the building for career and technical education programs, school field trips, and seniors who leave for lunch; in those cases students may take phones with them. The district will continue to issue iPads to students to support instruction. The superintendent said teachers will be expected to provide instruction without the use of cell phones.

Public comment and alternatives: Jessica Alfonsi, who identified herself as affiliated with Floral Park Memorial High School, told the board the locker‑storage approach “will fail to create a phone free environment for students” in cases of severe phone addiction and questioned how enforcement will work when many students are noncompliant. Alfonsi recommended the district consider using Yondr‑style lockable pouches used in other local high schools; she said a nearby school had checked in more than 1,000 students each morning with that system and reported a positive shift in student behavior.

Speakers also raised practical concerns: who would collect and monitor phones, how offenses would be tracked, and how parents would contact students in a true emergency. Alfonsi noted state funding available to districts for implementing the new law and estimated a district cost in the order of \"maybe 200,000 ish,\" which she described as a small share of the district budget.

Board action and next steps: At the meeting the policy was listed on the agenda for review; the transcript shows the policy as presented and under review but does not record a final board vote adopting the student‑device policy. Board members indicated the district had convened parent meetings, staff and student conversations and a cell‑phone committee that reported to the board in January.

Ending: The board did not adopt a final policy in the meeting transcript; public commenters asked administrators to return with clearer enforcement plans and to consider lockable pouch systems shown to work in neighboring schools.","Superintendent Miss Grama presented a draft student device policy reflecting the governor's cell‑phone ban that would require phones to be stored in lockers during the school day; public commenters urged the district to consider Yondr pouches and raised enforcement, equity and emergency‑access concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6513767,"Parents, students urge Sewanhaka district to recognize Eid al‑Adha as a full school holiday",64,686000,750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce&start=686&end=750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067044-c6621393d4a6c30fbbc9046035e0c3ce/thumbnail_686000.jpg","/articles/6513767/New-York/Parents-students-urge-Sewanhaka-district-to-recognize-Eid-alAdha-as-a-full-school-holiday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513767-c0eff41e1a1022d42e82ea8a53bf579b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136642&Signature=EY-ZPPG4Of1tNws1OZfUF0i7gdQXEETQ5tuhCC0-ndp1oVl9i02tZYRCPKolhIzpkjI7XDjWqlpQtrPiXKNFbQnXdJqHUVxSuDWVbuhCCid44PollDGCU1G~taaU~yvuffBOpJP8xmuGIs9JIf7lNs67QKSKcbtCCLDqftdjbg59Ped0CHWLVvo9lrVKmq5NoiMuCbs6dXHRjBtU2cEq4arB1OfwUQeUKNDFviLA0u8wJrgWbsWPaWvFzct65ht-sbHZ13~VEFWrEy5T~Mdxmj8cgLABXvLcKrzPAs8bnkZUpJv1SMT~0j5fvFrRV1Z0vx2OYwjmVx1kYuZODoAPsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents and students told the Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education on Tuesday that Eid al‑Adha should be a full school holiday in the district, not a superintendent conference day.

At the public‑comment portion of the June meeting, Farhana, a parent of New Hyde Park Memorial High School, read a letter from a sixth‑grade student who said he missed a test after observing Eid and later faced two math tests on the first day back. The letter said in part: “If I miss going to the mosque, I will also miss a lot of the fun things that they have like a bounce house and goodie bags.”

Why it matters: Students and families asked the board for consistent district guidance so Muslim students are not academically penalized for taking religious observances. Speakers said the district’s current calendar lists some holidays by name (for example, Rosh Hashanah) but labels Eid as a superintendent conference day, which they said creates confusion and uneven outcomes for students.

Student speaker Rehan Hussein, who identified himself as a student at Floral Park Memorial High School and a member of the school’s Muslim Student Association, said Muslim students who take Eid off can face “consequences, such as missing tests, homeworks, and assignments.” He asked the board for “clear guidance for religious holidays like Eid, ensuring it's a full day off for all students, similar to other religious holidays, like Christmas and Yom Kippur.”

Board response and next steps: Board presiding officials acknowledged the comments and said someone from the district would follow up with the speakers. During the meeting the superintendent’s office did not announce any immediate calendar changes or a formal board vote to add Eid al‑Adha to the district calendar.

Context: Commenters said the district allowed students to take the Eid day off this year but that the designation as a superintendent conference day — with teachers still working — contributed to scheduling tests and other instructional events on that date. Speakers asked the board to consider the impact on assessments and make calendar language consistent so families and staff can plan.

Ending: Board members did not take a vote on the request at the meeting. A district representative told one commenter that staff would follow up after the meeting.","Parents and students asked the Sewanhaka Central High School District board to grant Eid al‑Adha the same calendar recognition as other major religious holidays, citing missed tests and cultural observances; speakers requested clearer calendar labeling and consistent district guidance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Sewanhaka board approves multiple consent‑agenda items and ratifies teachers’ contract extension

Sewanhaka board recognizes new tenured staff, retirees and senior athletic champions

District presents cell‑phone policy for September implementation as parents warn enforcement will fall on staff

Parents, students urge Sewanhaka district to recognize Eid al‑Adha as a full school holiday