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Friday, March 25, 2022
Vol. 7, No. 12
Port WashingtonTimes LIVING 50+
MANHASSET BOYS WIN STATE BASKETBALL TITLE
PAGES 25-32
PAGE 12
Restructuring, oversight on top of Hynes agenda
DEMS CALL FOR COUNTY GAS TAX HOLIDAY PAGE 6
T R A C K S TA R
Port superintendent outlines goals in State of the District presentation BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Port Washington School Superintendent Michael Hynes said restructuring the district’s curriculum, instruction and assessment office and more oversight on teaching and learning are some of the district’s goals. Hynes, who was hired as superintendent in 2019, reflected on the district’s past, present and future accomplishments last week during the State of the District presentation. When Hynes came to the district three years ago, he introduced a 100-day plan aimed to build relationships with community stakeholders and conduct an organizational review and analysis of the district. Hynes said common suggestions he heard from parents, teachers, staff and students included more summer camps, an increased focus on career technical education and other plans to provide for students outside of college, keeping in touch with alumni, updates to livestreaming Board of Education meetings and more mental health resources. Additionally, funds have been allocated over the past few years to hire new elementary school teachers and security guards along with $1.9 million included in the 2020-21 budget to repair the roof at Salem Elementary School and a section of Schreiber
High’s as well. Hynes said an overwhelming majority of feedback from stakeholders has been addressed, including a technology initiative that provided each student in the district with either an iPad or Chromebook. The district’s utilization of technological resources, he said, had it well prepared for the coronavirus pandemic when classes were forced to be held remotely. “What happened over the past two years … This is a silver lining because, now, we are a one-to-one school district from a technology standpoint,” Hynes said. “That’s very good for our students from an access standpoint.” With the initial feedback from stakeholders, Hynes said, he and his administrative team began to develop a five-year strategic plan for the district, including what types of assessments should be featured. Part of the five-year plan includes the district’s Portrait of a Graduate Vision & Mission, which was adopted by the Board of Education in May. Through the initiative, the district aims to have each student have experience with global citizenship, problem solving, life balance, social and emotional intelligence, communication skills, embracing diversity, a rigorous curriculum and learning how to be a creative and innovative thinker. Continued on Page 53
PHOTO COURTESY OF PORT WASHINGTON ATHLETICS INSTAGRAM
Port Washington’s Colin Funk crossed the finish line for the boys’ 4x800m relay team, securing the title of Nike National Champions and All Americans.
Town chain of command broken by Dems: DeSena BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y During a virtual town hall with Blank Slate Media, North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said that commissioners and department heads are being asked to report to Jeanine Dillon, the current chief re-
search assistant to the Town Board and previous chief of staff for ex-Supervisor Judi Bosworth. DeSena’s comments came when she was asked about the Town Board and whether it is asserting authority not previously used. Since DeSena took office in Janu-
ary, conflicts have erupted at the board’s monthly meetings over moving office space, budget and personnel resolutions and DeSena’s picks for the Board of Ethics, which were blocked on the grounds of lack of diversity, among other things. Continued on Page 42
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