Westbury Board of Education swears in officers, elects leadership and approves security contract

The Board of Education of the Westbury Union Free School District held its reorganizational meeting on July 1, swearing in trustees and district officers, electing board leadership and approving a security-services contract for the 2026–27 school year.

At the start of the meeting, the board completed its roll call and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Robin L. Bolling and Rodney Keynes were sworn in as trustees. Beverly Kathnaught took the oath as district clerk and Tahera Akila Dupree Chase was sworn in as superintendent. During each oath, the official recited, "I do solemnly swear," affirming support for the U.S. and New York state constitutions and to discharge duties to the best of their abilities.

Nominations for board president followed. Trustee Rodney Keynes nominated Robert Triano Jr., the nomination was seconded and the board voted to install Triano as president. Triano subsequently took the oath of office as board president. The board next nominated and elected Floyd T. Ewing III as vice president; Ewing was sworn in following the vote.

Following ceremonial items, the board moved into an executive session to discuss personnel matters; the presiding officer said the session was expected to last about an hour. After returning to public session, the board considered an amendment to agenda item 5d, the appointment for professional services for Mamassi. The amendment added the wording "unless sooner terminated" to what was described as a month-to-month contract; the motion to amend was moved, seconded and carried unanimously.

The board then voted to approve the full reorganizational agenda (items 5a–5z), with the amended item 5d included. Later in a special meeting that followed (one item on the special meeting agenda), trustees approved Item 7a: a contract with Arrow Security to provide security services for the 2026–27 school year. That motion was moved, seconded and passed unanimously.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn. The board announced the next regular public meeting will be held Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m.

What the board approved - Amendment to Item 5d (professional-services appointment for Mamassi): added "unless sooner terminated" to a month-to-month contract (motion carried unanimously). - Reorganizational agenda (Items 5a–5z), including amended 5d: approved unanimously. - Item 7a (security services contract with Arrow Security for the 2026–27 school year): approved unanimously.

What happened in executive session The board convened an executive session to discuss personnel matters; no public actions or votes were recorded during that private session. When the board returned to public session, it resumed the remaining agenda votes.

Next steps The board will meet next on Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. for the public portion of its regular meeting.