Westbury board elects Robert Triana Jr. president; Floyd Ewing named vice president, district clerk appointed

The Westbury Union Free School District Board of Education held its reorganizational meeting July 1, swearing in newly elected and returning trustees, electing Robert Triana Jr. as board president and Floyd Ewing III as vice president, and appointing Beverly Kathmott as district clerk. All roll-call votes on the nominations and appointments were unanimous.

The meeting opened with oaths of office for Superintendent Dr. Dupree Chase and the trustees. After swearing in Mateo (Matteo) Flores and other members, the floor opened for nominations for board president. Trustee Robert Triana Jr. was nominated, accepted the nomination and was elected by voice vote; trustees recorded “aye” for the motion. Trustee Floyd Ewing III was nominated and elected vice president in a separate vote. The board then moved and seconded a motion to appoint Beverly Kathmott to the district clerk position; that motion also carried unanimously.

Triana, elected president, thanked the community and board. “Since I was 8 years old, I have wanted to be in elective office,” Triana said after his election, expressing appreciation for community support and for being chosen to lead the board. Trustees and members of the superintendent’s cabinet joined in welcoming newly seated Trustee Mateo Flores; several speakers, including longtime community members and alumni, offered remarks of support for Flores during the meeting’s ceremonial portion.

Board members completed the reorganizational business and took a group photograph before moving into the regular agenda. The board scheduled a student board member appointment to occur in the fall; a specific date for that appointment was not given.

The board adjourned after voting on the evening’s business and inviting the public to lobby refreshments and photographs.