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South Orangetown board praises smooth opening day; superintendent announces staff changes, student rep
Summary
At the school board meeting, the superintendent reviewed summer programs, staffing changes and capital improvements ahead of the 2025–26 school year and introduced the district—s student board representative; district leaders and principals described a positive first day for students.
The South Orangetown Central School District—s superintendent reported a smooth opening day and highlighted summer programs, staffing hires and retirements as the district begins the 2025–26 school year.
Why it matters: The superintendent—s summary outlines personnel changes and capital-project progress that affect student services and district operations as the year starts.
Superintendent Dr. Culott told the board the district welcomed several new hires and recognized long-serving staff. "It is with mixed emotion that I share that Kathy Muscari, our district clerk, and my right hand will be retiring effective October 16," he said, asking the board to join him in wishing her well. He added that Muscari would remain part time through the board election transition.
Dr. Culott thanked staff across departments for summer work that prepared buildings and systems for the school year, naming Natalie Espinal in business, Giancarlo Viseguera in facilities, John Gallino in safety, George Brady in technology, Dr. Joel Lloyd in human resources and Lori Graham in pupil personnel services. He described a range of summer programs and participation totals: more than 300 campers for the district—s 10th annual STEAM camp, 145 students in the K–5 summer literacy program, 40 seventh graders in a pre-algebra boot camp and more than 60 high-school volunteers and alumni interns in district technology placements.
William O. Schaefer Principal Miss Beglin said the school completed a capital-phase renovation of a back hallway and held a meet-and-greet for pre-K through second grade; she said the event helped children arrive on day one "confident, comfortable, excited." Beglin described staff and custodial teams—efforts to ready the building overnight and praised parents and teachers for a smooth morning dismissal.
Other building leaders gave similar accounts: school leaders at SOMS and Tappan Zee High School described successful orientation events, staggered start schedules for freshmen and peer-led tours, and distribution of devices and lockers. At Tappan Zee, leaders said the freshman assembly reviewed a new personal-device policy and provided time with counselors after tours.
Dr. Culott also announced the district will seat a student school board representative this year. He introduced Jewan Chae at the meeting and said Jay Wong will officially become a student representative when the board approves the consent agenda; the superintendent said the representative and an alternate (Miriam George) will sit with the board at a future meeting.
The superintendent concluded by noting the district—s placements in the Niche rankings and saying preliminary, embargoed reading results were promising.
Looking ahead: The superintendent said staff will return with additional data at upcoming meetings and that Muscari will help with the fall transition before retiring.
