The East Williston Board of Education on Tuesday July 3 re-elected Mark Kamberg to a third year as president, and elected Trustee Robert Fallarino as vice president.
New elected Trustee Leonard Hirsch was also sworn in. Hirsch won an uncontested election in May for the seat vacated by Robert Freier, who stepped down for personal reasons. He has served as a member of the school board’s financial advisory committee.
“I’m looking forward to the experience and making a positive contribution,” Hirsch said.
Trustee Barbara Sloane, nominated Kamberg to continue in the position of board president.
“I’ve had the privilege of the past two years of working with Mr. Kamberg,” Sloane said. “I think he has executed his position as president in the past with an unbelievable amount of hard work and would like to nominate him for that position.”
Kamberg was re-elected unanimously.
“I’m honored and humbled to be serving as board president for the third year in a row,” Kamberg said. “I look forward to continuing the great work we have done; continuing to bring this great district to an even better place.”
Trustee David Keefe nominated Fallarino to be board vice president, a position previously held by Freier.
“With Mr. Freier leaving the board, I feel confident that the man I’m going to nominate for this position will slide right in and be just as excellent as Mr. Freier,” Keefe said.
Fallarino also was elected unanimously by the board.
“I’m a little humbled and I hope I can live up to the role,” Fallarino said.
The board bid it final farewell to Lorna Lewis, who participated in her last meeting as superintendent of the East Williston School District. Lewis announced her resignation in April and will be accepting a position as superintendent of schools for the Plainview–Old Bethpage Central School District. She gave a farewell speech along with her final superintendent’s report.
“This is truly a bittersweet moment for me as I give my final report to the community,” she said. “We have accomplished a great deal together in the past five years and I will be forever grateful for all who have played a role in my growth.”
Lewis thanked the original five board members by name who voted for her unanimously five years ago.
“They were brave enough to give a unanimous nod to a novice superintendent based on credentials rather than preconceived notions,” she said. “It has been my sincere honor to have been allowed to share this journey with you.”
In her report she lauded the achievements of the class of 2012, which included having 100 percent Regents diplomas and 89 percent Advanced Regents diploma graduates.
Lewis will be replaced by Elaine Kanas, who most recently served as superintendent of Valley Stream 30 for the past four years.
