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Deer Park residents to vote on New York State EXCEL funds On Tuesday, March 20, residents in the Deer Park District will be asked to accept $1.3 million in New York State EXCEL funds, which the district will use for capital improvements throughout the district. EXCEL aid allows school districts to use state funding to make improvements to education technology, health and safety areas, energy and physical capacity expansion or school construction. While the cost of the work will have no impact on the local school tax bill, voters must approve opting into the program to be eligible for the funds. The EXCEL grant, Expanding Our Children's Education and Learning, will be used for improvements to Deer Park High School, Robert Frost Jr. High, and John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Work planned includes upgrading the fire alarm system, making improvements to the High School science labs, technology Infrastructure (wiring), and installing new bleachers in the high school gymnasium. "This is a one shot deal," said President Michael Oddo. "These benefits will not be available next year". Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Marino reminded the residents that if this grant is not passed, the upgrades will have to be funded either through future annual budgets or a separate bond proposal. "If we don't avail ourselves of this aid, it will be coming out of the budget," Marino said. "These upgrades need to be completed and these projects are a priority for the district." How the aid came about The Campaign of Fiscal Equity, a not-for-profit organization which seeks reform for educational equity in school system financing in New York City, won a court decision in which the State of New York was ordered to direct $4.7 and $5.63 billion to New York City schools. Former Governor George Pataki established the need-based EXCEL aid program, which helps not only New York City schools but also those throughout New York. A newsletter will be sent to each home in the district in the last week of February as a reminder to vote. Voter registration will take place on March 10 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and March 12, between 5 and 9 p.m. at the Deer Park High School. Voting is at the Deer Park High School. In other school news: +The Suffolk Zone of New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Achievement Award was presented to students Brittany Davis and Matt Zito. They were selected based on their ability to serve as positive role models in physical education achievement, scholastic record, character, leadership in physical education and school wide activities. +Resident and former School Board member Dorothy Weissgerber raised questions about the cost of providing health care to employees of the district. She pointed to a Newsday article dated January 22, that discussed the possibility of forming a countywide consortium for health insurance, which according to S.C. Leg. Steve Levy who made the proposal, would reduce costs. Mr. Robert Sapir, the school district's attorney, responded to Weissgerber by saying only that "It is not as easy as it sounds." Weissgerber also asked the Superintendent what her goals are for the district. Marino was recently appointed to the post. "My vision is to raise standards, raise literacy, and open communications with parents in the district," she said, adding that there is an "open relationship between the administration and the community." The next board meeting will be held on February 27, 2007 at 8 p.m.
Chris Vaccaro contributed to this story
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