EWSD ed board says they intend to have universal Pre-K next

0
EWSD ed board says they intend to have universal Pre-K next
(Pictured left to right) Deputy Superintendent Diane Castonguay, Superintendent Danielle Gately and Board of Education President Mark Kamberg. (Screencap by Brandon Duffy)

By Jessica Taylor

The East Williston Board of Education held a meeting Monday night to discuss
updates on the new pre-K program in the district.

Superintendent Danielle Gately started off the meeting by opening the floor to
Deputy Superintendent Diane Castonguay, who gave an update on universal Pre-K.

“A current request for proposal is out to local agencies that run the program, so that they can provide the ability to house about 40 students at North Side School” for the 2023-24 school year, Castonguay said.

“We have secured two rooms,” she said. She also went on to say the district will provide the space. It will be a lottery situation.

After the winter break, Gately will provide information about how a name can be entered into the lottery. The process should be wrapped up in late January. Information and
updates will be posted on the front page of the district website.

President Mark Kamberg chimed in, saying “fantastic news! You heard it here first
that it is our intention to have universal pre-K in our buildings next year.” He also
wanted to clarify that for “families who have not yet enrolled in our schools, there is a
plan in place to notify those families so they have the opportunity to submit their
names” if they choose to do the lottery.

Kamberg also asked the district’s internal claims auditor and treasurer to give a
few updates to the board.

Auditor Denise Longobardi reviews 100% of the expenses that are
recorded in the school district. Longobardi happily reported that the district has
“very low exception rates”, which she says is something to be proud of.

District Treasurer Alyssa Contarino provided an update on the district’s interest rates.
Since opening a new bank account with Metropolitan Commercial Bank in October
2022, the district has increased the interest rate from the existing institution.

The new bank provides the Federal Rate of Return, which as of Nov. 30, 2022,
was 3.6% while the existing institution’s rate was 2.1%.

“Since opening the account the district has made $67,318 in interest income with Metropolitan” Contarino said.

She continued, “Based on timing of revenue and expenditure for December, the
district has been able to keep the same amount balance with Metropolitan in
November.” By doing this, interest income for December will be higher than
in November.

Contarino spoke to a representative last week and confirmed that the rates will be
rising to 4.1% on Jan. 3. This will provide the district with additional interest
income.

Another reason as to why the district considered switching to the new bank was due
to the Tax Anticipation Note. In prior years the interest rate on the TAN was
under 1.5%. However, due to rising interest rates and the economy the current rate
is up to 4.25%. The total interest cost to the district for 2022-23 was $80,750.

“You can see that with Metropolitan we have almost already covered the entire TAN
interest balance.” The remainder of interest income will be additional revenue to the
district,” Contarino concluded.

Kamberg thanked Nassau County in what he called “the most sarcastic voice I ever do.”
He said Nassau County is “no friend of school districts” because it is unwilling to
align its tax distribution with how school districts have to pay their bills. He called it a “break in the system.”

No posts to display

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here