Copiague Union Free School District public meetings in 2022
26 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education is meeting to approve routine personnel actions, including resignations, leaves of absence, and appointments for substitute teachers, student workers, and Saturday program staff. All listed motions passed unanimously.
- Approved resignations of 5 staff members, including Thalia Arias, Kassandra Bonilla, Laura Cassidy, Tamara Chery, and Gregory Cassiano
- Approved medical and childcare leaves for teachers Kathleen Kissane and Jennifer Spizuco
- Appointed 2 per diem substitute teachers at $125/day
- Approved $12,250 prorated stipends for 3 math teachers covering additional classes
- Appointed 10 Saturday program teachers at $53/hour funded by ARP grant
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education met on December 5, 2022, and approved a series of personnel actions, including resignations, a leave of absence, appointments, and a tenure recommendation. The board also approved a settlement agreement with a student and recommendations from the Committee on Special Education. All motions passed unanimously.
- Approved tenure for Heather Clare as Health Teacher at Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School, effective 1/28/23.
- Approved settlement agreement between the district and a student regarding a due process complaint.
- Accepted resignations of four office assistants, including retirements effective 7/1/23.
- Approved appointment of Lauren Czarnecki as ISS Teacher at $45,000 (prorated), effective 12/12/22.
- Approved updated list of Impartial Hearing Officers.
Public Hearing and Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Board of Education will hold a public hearing on proposed partial real property tax exemptions for income-eligible senior citizens and disabled individuals, then vote on personnel actions including resignations, leaves, and appointments. The board will also approve minutes and various staff appointments and stipends.
- Public hearing on partial real property tax exemptions for income-eligible seniors and disabled individuals
- Resignations: ESL teacher Claudia Cuoco-Rocchio, ISS teacher Lisa Marrin, School Security Guard George Tsistinas, Senior Office Assistant Katherine Gilligan
- Probationary appointment: Claudia Cuoco-Rocchio as Elementary Teacher at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School, salary $75,591 (prorated)
- Probationary appointment: Thomas McCay as Chief Custodian of Elementary Schools, salary $93,499 (prorated)
- Co-curricular stipends: Science Olympiads co-advisors $1,048.50 each, Literacy Coaches $4,967 each, Choreographers $1,490 each
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education met on November 7, 2022, and approved a series of routine personnel actions, including resignations, appointments, and stipends. The board also approved minutes from previous meetings. All items were passed unanimously.
- Approved resignations of 7 staff members, including a Cook Manager, Elementary Teacher, and Teaching Assistant, effective various dates.
- Appointed Alexandra Alaimo as Regular Substitute Teacher for Special Education at Deauville Gardens East, salary $53,481 (prorated).
- Approved per diem substitute teacher appointments at $170/day for Elizabeth Royen, Tatyana Noori, and Tamara Chery.
- Approved $12,250 (prorated) stipends for six teachers covering additional classes at the high school due to leaves.
- Approved winter coaching stipend of $6,476 for Matthew Miles (Girls Bowling Assistant) and $2,500 plus $70 per event for Yvan Garcia as Head Chaperone.
Audit Committee Meeting
The Copiague Union Free School District Audit Committee is meeting to review the external auditor's reports, including the extraclassroom activity funds audit, management letter, audit communication, and draft financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. The meeting is primarily a discussion of these reports, with no decisions listed on the agenda.
- External auditors Cullen & Danowski, LLP, represented by Joseph Crocco, CPA, will present
- Extraclassroom Activity Funds Audit Report for FYE 06/30/2022
- Management Letter for FYE 06/30/2022
- Audit Communication for FYE 06/30/2022
- Draft Financial Statements for FYE 06/30/2022
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education met on October 17, 2022, and approved a series of personnel actions, including resignations, a leave of absence, teaching appointments, coaching stipends, and program coordinators. The board also certified lead evaluators for the 2022-23 school year and approved minutes from the previous meeting.
- Approved temporary appointment of Kalinda Lindner as Elementary Teacher at Deauville Gardens West, salary $64,374 (prorated).
- Approved regular substitute appointments for Emily McLeer and Jennifer Heaton, with salaries $53,481 and $64,374 (prorated).
- Approved $12,250 stipends for five teachers teaching additional classes.
- Approved winter coaching staff stipends ranging from $4,637 to $12,620 plus longevity.
- Certified 40+ administrators and teachers as APPR lead evaluators for 2022-23.
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education is meeting to approve a series of routine personnel actions, including resignations, appointments, and stipends for teachers and staff. The agenda is largely procedural, with most items bundled into a single consent motion.
- Approved resignations of cafeteria aides Jennifer Kogan and Barbara Balsam, and substitute teacher Debra Paprocky
- Appointed Ryan Mounce as regular substitute ESL teacher at $54,898 prorated
- Approved $12,250 stipends for teachers taking on additional classes
- Approved co-curricular appointments including MS Musical Director at $4,967
- Approved numerous Saturday Program staff at $53-$60 per hour
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education is meeting to approve routine personnel actions, including teacher mentor appointments, temporary teaching appointments, and compensation for additional classes. The agenda includes consent agenda items for various appointments and stipends, with a motion to table item 2.18.
- Approval of minutes from August 31 and September 6, 2022 meetings
- Appointment of teacher mentors for 2022-23 with $2,980 annual stipend
- Temporary appointment of Kole Pollock as Physical Education Teacher at Great Neck Road Elementary School, salary $64,374
- Compensation for additional classes, with stipends of $12,250 or $6,125 for various teachers
- Appointments for arrival/dismissal duty with $4,125 prorated stipends
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Board of Education is meeting to approve routine actions and several personnel changes. Key decisions include creating a Deputy Superintendent position, hiring a temporary PE teacher, and revising the school calendar. The board will also review policies and hear public comments.
- Abolishes Executive Director of Instructional Support, creates Deputy Superintendent, appoints Karla Cangelosi with tenure effective Sept 7, 2022
- Temporary appointment of Michael Ciserano as Physical Education Teacher at Deauville Gardens East Elementary, salary $66,081
- Additional compensation of $1,100 to Nicole Gianni-Castronovo for summer 2022 pay error
- Calendar revision: Sept 16, 2022 half-day for K-6 for math professional development
- Pre-approval of overnight field trips: Marching Band to Syracuse (10/28-10/30) and NYSSMA to Rochester (12/1-12/4)
Regular Meeting Agenda - For the Purpose of Hiring New Staff Members
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education is meeting to approve a series of personnel actions, including accepting a resignation, appointing new teachers and substitutes, and approving stipends for additional work. The board will vote on a consent agenda covering items 2.3 through 2.13, which includes temporary and probationary teaching appointments, per diem substitutes, and coaching staff. The meeting is primarily focused on staffing for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.
- Accept resignation of Social Studies teacher Rosanne Golding, effective 8/29/22
- Approve temporary appointments for School Social Worker Crystal Walker ($67,833), Special Education teacher William Sullivan ($67,833), and Elementary teacher Michael Drankwater ($64,374)
- Approve probationary appointments for five teachers, including Physical Education teacher Timothy Mattiace ($66,081) and Guidance Counselor Brianne Arthur ($66,081 + $2,973.65 differential)
- Approve $12,250 stipends for nine teachers teaching additional classes
- Approve 11 per diem substitute teacher appointments at $170/day or $125/day for non-certified
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Board of Education is approving a series of routine personnel actions, including resignations, appointments, and stipends, as well as budget transfers and a resolution to name the high school wrestling room. All items were passed unanimously.
- Approved resignations of Special Education Teacher Regina DiBono, Custodial Worker Thomas Farah, and School Nurse Michelle Schettino
- Appointed Vienna Durao as probationary Music Teacher at Great Neck Road Elementary School, salary $56,353
- Approved 2021/22 budget transfers in excess of $10,000
- Named the Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School wrestling room in honor of Anthony Cipriano 'Coach Cip'
- Approved provisional appointments for 8 School Security Guards/Resource Officers at rates from $20.68 to $27.73/hr
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education is meeting to approve routine personnel actions, including resignations, leaves of absence, and appointments for the 2022-23 school year. The agenda includes consent items for temporary and probationary teaching appointments, summer school staffing, and compensation for additional teaching duties. All listed motions were passed.
- Approved resignations of 8 staff including Director of Technology Kelly Urraro and music teachers Joseph Albanese and Paul Mercieca
- Approved leaves of absence for a social studies teacher, maintenance mechanic, and assistant cook
- Approved temporary appointments for 5 elementary teachers and 1 psychologist with salaries from $53,481 to $67,615
- Approved probationary appointments for a school psychologist, elementary teacher, and 2 special education teachers
- Approved $12,250 stipends for 5 teachers teaching additional Spanish classes at the high school
Reorganization Meeting and Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education held its reorganization and regular meeting, electing officers and making numerous appointments for the 2022-23 school year. All actions were approved unanimously. The board appointed district officials, legal counsel, auditors, and other professional service providers.
- Appointed Michael Kearns as Claims Auditor at a fee of $20,100 for 2022-23
- Appointed R.S. Abrams & Co., L.L.P. as Internal Auditors at a fee of $57,900
- Awarded RFP #22/23-010 for external auditors to EFPR Group for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, with option to renew for four additional one-year terms
- Appointed Dr. Jason Hitner as Chief School Medical Officer at $56,000 for July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023, with annual renewals through 2026-27
- Authorized Superintendent to approve budget transfers up to $10,000
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Board of Education is approving routine personnel actions, including accepting resignations, making probationary teaching appointments, and approving a large slate of summer school staff appointments with specified stipends. The agenda is largely administrative and consent-based, with no major policy decisions or public hearings.
- Approved probationary teaching appointments for Tristan Hayes ($56,353), KaraAnn Leone ($66,081), Amber Setelius ($67,833), and Marialena Iannolo ($71,247)
- Approved temporary appointment of Lauren Kania as School Social Worker at $66,081 plus $2,972.64 differential
- Approved summer school program appointments including instructors at $4,800 stipends, TAs at $2,125, and administrators up to $8,200
- Accepted resignations of four staff members including Music Teacher Diana Cotrone and School Psychologist Stephanie Singh
- Approved five ENL Registration Teachers at $47 per hour for summer registration
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education is meeting to approve a series of personnel actions, including temporary teacher appointments, coaching staff for fall 2022/23, and summer security staffing. The board also accepted several resignations and a declination for a summer school teaching position. All listed motions were passed unanimously.
- Temporary teacher appointments for 2022-23: Patty DellaUniversita ($64,374), Stefani DeSalvo ($70,506), Heather L. Giever ($69,630), Paul Ceglio ($67,833)
- Fall 2022/23 coaching staff appointments with salaries ranging from $5,105 to $10,530
- Summer 2022 security staffing: 1 supervisor, 13 guards, 10 part-time guards from July 5 to August 31
- Resignations accepted: Christina Harney, Valerie Nevola, Barbara Pearsall, Yelina Diaz
- Probationary appointments: Susana Milheiser (Office Assistant, $32,513) and Herlinda Sanchez (Food Service Worker, $15.64/hr)
Audit Committee Meeting
The Copiague Union Free School District Audit Committee is meeting to discuss audit-related reports, including a risk assessment update, periodic duties reports, and cycle reports. The committee will also hear from internal auditors R.S. Abrams & Co., LLP. The meeting is primarily for discussion and review of these documents.
- Internal Auditors - R.S. Abrams & Co., LLP - Brendan Nelson
- Risk Assessment Update
- Periodic Duties Report July 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
- Periodic Duties Report January 1, 2022 - May 16, 2022
- Federal Single Audit for the School Year Ended June 30, 2021
Regular Meeting Agenda - For the Purpose of Hiring New Staff Members
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education met on May 23, 2022, primarily to approve the hiring of new staff members. The board approved the appointment of Krista Fee as Secondary Assistant Principal at Copiague Middle School, along with several probationary and temporary teaching appointments. The board also accepted a resignation and approved summer staffing recommendations for student services.
- Appointed Krista Fee as Secondary Assistant Principal at Copiague Middle School, salary $129,072, effective July 1, 2022
- Approved probationary teaching appointments for Julia Boris (Foreign Language), Lenee Mason (Science), Kate Barrera (Special Education), and Christina Polito (Elementary)
- Approved part-time appointments for Stephanie Rafuse as Social Studies Teacher and Per Diem Substitute Teacher
- Accepted resignation of Arianna Vetere, Cafeteria Aide at Deauville Gardens West
- Approved summer 2022 staffing for social workers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, and speech teachers
Public Hearing and Regular Meeting Agenda
The Board of Education held a public hearing regarding the proposed school budget for the 2022-2023 school year. The meeting also included several personnel actions, including various teaching appointments and staff resignations.
- Public Hearing on the 2022-2023 Proposed School Budget
- Approval of annual Department Chairperson appointments with stipends ranging from $11,460 to $13,150
- Appointment of probationary teachers including Lucijan Jovic ($69,630), Kathryn Merola ($87,887), and Amanda Guele ($66,081)
- Acceptance of resignations for several staff members, including Chief Custodian Jeffrey Engelhardt
- Approval of additional 75 hours each for Elementary Summer Program Assistant Developers
Regular Meeting Agenda - BOCES Budget/Trustee Vote
The Copiague Board of Education approved the 2022/2023 Western Suffolk BOCES Administrative Budget. The Board also voted to support three specific candidates for the Western Suffolk BOCES Board of Education.
- Approval of the 2022/2023 Western Suffolk BOCES Administrative Budget
- Resolution to vote for Ilene Herz, Brian Sales, and Maryann Zumpano for BOCES trustees
- Announcement of May 9, 2022, public hearing for the 2022-2023 School Budget
- Announcement of May 17, 2022, school budget and trustee election
Regular Meeting Agenda and Budget Work Session
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education held a regular meeting and budget work session. The board approved the upcoming school year's proposed budget, several staff appointments, and various updates to district policies.
- Adoption of 2022-2023 proposed school budget in the amount of $162,431,470.00
- Approval of temporary appointments for an ESL Teacher ($69,540) and School Social Worker ($70,885.49)
- Approval of probationary appointments for a School Psychologist and Elementary Teacher
- Approval of $12,250 stipend for Samantha Davidson to teach an additional Grade 6 class
- Approval of multiple updates to Board Policies regarding buildings, grounds, and transportation
Regular Meeting Agenda and Budget Work Session
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education met to finalize personnel changes, including several teacher appointments and resignations. The board also approved stipends for additional teaching classes and co-curricular roles.
- Approval of probationary teacher appointments with salaries ranging from $54,898 to $73,273
- Acceptance of resignations for a substitute teacher, custodial worker, and office assistant
- Approval of $12,250 stipends for 14 teachers assigned to additional Grade 6 classes
- Appointment of election workers for the May 17, 2022, Trustee/Budget Vote
- Approval of various co-curricular stipends for yearbook advisors
Regular Meeting Agenda and Budget Work Session
The Board of Education met to review personnel changes including several teacher resignations and new probationary appointments. The session also addressed coaching assignments for spring sports and administrative staffing updates.
- Approval of multiple teacher resignations effective through June 30, 2022
- Appointment of Christopher Gaudioso as Secondary Summer School Principal with an $11,000 stipend
- Probationary appointment of Kaitlyn Thompson as Science Research teacher at $76,983 salary
- Approval of Spring 2022 coaching appointments including Stephen Temme for MS Softball
- Permanent appointment of Deborah VanFlorcke as Secretary to the Superintendent at $81,487 salary
Regular Meeting Agenda and Budget Work Session
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education held a regular meeting and budget work session on March 7, 2022. The board approved a consent agenda covering numerous personnel actions, including appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and coaching staff. The meeting also included a budget work session, though no specific budget details were provided in the agenda.
- Approved per diem interim Middle School Assistant Principal at $750/day
- Approved temporary Special Education teacher at $63,503 (prorated)
- Approved part-time Special Education teacher at $59,176 (prorated)
- Approved Varsity Track & Field Assistant Coach at $9,764
- Approved probationary Office Assistant (Spanish-speaking) at $39,309
Regular Meeting Agenda and Budget Work Session
The Board of Education met to process personnel actions, including accepting several teacher retirements and resignations. The session also included approving numerous seasonal coaching appointments and various instructional staff hires.
- Accepted retirements for elementary teachers Claudia Nakash and Margaret Murphy
- Approved compensation for five middle school teachers to cover additional science and math classes
- Approved spring coaching appointments including $10,760 for Varsity Girls Track & Field Head Coach
- Approved various elementary cafeteria duty appointments with stipends of $4,050 each
- Approved ARP grant-funded appointments for the Saturday Program
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Union Free School District Board of Education met on January 24, 2022, and approved a series of personnel actions, including resignations, leaves of absence, and appointments. The board also certified a lead evaluator for teacher performance reviews and approved recommendations from the Committee on Special Education for student placements.
- Approved resignations of Wayne Murphy (security aide), Rosa Rivas (office assistant), and Chapin Rockey (substitute teacher)
- Approved probationary appointments for school psychologists Jennifer Sutherland ($96,204) and Stephanie Singh ($62,714)
- Approved per diem substitute teacher appointments at $165/day for Nicolas Reyes, Janine Egan, Stephanie Rafuse, and Christina Harney
- Approved $53/hour for Saturday program teachers and substitutes funded by ARP grant
- Certified Nicole Giannini as lead evaluator for APPR
Regular Meeting Agenda
The Copiague Board of Education is approving a series of personnel appointments, contract awards, and budget items. Key actions include awarding boiler replacement contracts for two elementary schools, adopting the 2022-23 budget development calendar, and approving a contract with Suffolk County Community College for high school graduation. The board also approved multiple personnel appointments and resignations.
- Contract award for boiler replacements at Susan E. Wiley and Deauville Gardens Elementary Schools
- Adoption of 2022/23 school budget development calendar
- Contract with Suffolk County Community College for June 23, 2022 graduation at Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School
- Appointment of Christopher Napoli as School District Athletic Trainer at $67,000 (prorated), effective 3/7/22
- Resignations of cafeteria aides Camille O'Brien and Yokasta Rosario