By John Nugent
Newly elected trustees of the Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education took their oaths of office at the Reorganization/Regular Meeting on July 7.
Both Michael Culotta and Rosemarie Pelonten won their seats by substantial margins in the election held in May.
Culotta running as an incumbent held off a challenge from Matthew Sexton and Pelonten defeated Michelle Vincent in the race for the seat vacated by Douglas Vigo.
As an attorney, Culotta has advocated for development of universal pre-K and expansion of the two schools in the district.
Pelonten, who has more than 30 years experience teaching elementary school students, raised her children in the district. She campaigned on improving early intervention services and on encouraging students to exceed grade level expectations.
The board also formally approved the election of Beth Kierez as president of the school board and Jackie O’Donohue as vice president.
Other appointments included Dr. Juli Mulcahy, who assumed the office of acting superintendent of schools, Mary Beth Altobelli as district clerk and Deborah Sawicki as district treasurer.
Following the organization of the new board, all agenda items were passed unanimously without comments from the board or the audience.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 22.
