Meetings and money at Sullivan West

By KIMBERLY M. WEYANDT

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — In recent weeks, Sullivan West has been a hot topic not only among its residents but also at the offices of the New York State Education Department and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. A series of meetings to discuss the merger, finances and future of Sullivan West are scheduled for the month of August.

New York State Education Department steps in

After receiving letters from countless district residents, the New York State Education Department and Assemblywoman Gunther have decided to step in and help the district. Due to the financial situation and the closing of two of Sullivan West’s elementary buildings, the residents, school board and students have become divided causing great concern to the education department.

“The state ed department received a lot of inquiries and they approached me,” Gunther said, “They said they would like to come in and reconnect the district.”

New York State Education Officials Jim Kadamus, deputy commissioner of elementary middle, secondary and continuing education, and Jim Butterworth, assistant commissioner of the Office of Regional School and Community Services, will meet with residents in the auditorium of the Sullivan West High School on Wednesday, August 10 to discuss options and answer questions about district issues. The meeting is open to all.

New York State Assembly offers up $50,000

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, $50,000 has been set aside for Sullivan West. In order to receive the funds, the Sullivan West Board of Education has to agree to an “external review” from independent financial consultants to help examine the current finances of the district and create a plan for the future. The funding will pay for the review.

“We’ve secured the money, the school has the opportunity, they will have to talk about their goals and then make a decision,” said Gunther. “They’re the ones driving that car.”

If the board approves the review, they will choose the consulting firm from a list provided by the NYS Assembly.

“It’s an extra pair of hands to help us plan for the future and I think it’s a good idea,” said District Superintendent Alan Derry.

Pre-K registration leaves 10 out

Accepted applications for Sullivan West’s full day pre-k program left 28 potential students vying for the 18 slots in the class. Screenings to establish the students with the most need were held on July 28 and 29 and August 1 and 2. Prior to the registration Derry said he did not expect much more than 18 students to apply.

“One section should do it,” said Derry, “but we could be surprised, and if we are we’ll adapt and adjust for next year and maybe we’ll have two sections.”