By Maylan L. Studart
The East Williston Board of Education announced on Monday that it had reached an agreement with its clerical staff unit.
After observing a moment of silence for the victims of the New Zealand mosque mass shooting last week, the board acknowledged outstanding student-athletes, approved all agenda items and discussed an issue with a crosswalk which the board brought to the attention of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
Board President Mark Kamberg said he was pleased that the board was able to reach a contractual agreement with the clerical unit, which along with the teachers’, administrative and custodial units, makes up the entire staff of the East Williston school district.
“The agreement provides the district with relief from increasing health insurance costs in the form of greater employee contribution towards health insurance premiums while providing employees with a going rate salary increase,” Kamberg said. “The agreement also modifies the work year for clerical staff in response to changes in the district’s academic calendar.”
Several student-athletes and the boys’ fencing coach were recognized at the meeting for becoming Nassau County champions in their sports and qualifying for state-level competitions.
Joanna Signorile became gymnastics Nassau County champion for all-round and in vaulting and qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association competitions.
Emma Bergsohn was the gymnastics Nassau County champion in beam and also qualified for the state championship. Joe Contrastano took the title of Nassau County champion in wrestling and won third place in the state championship, while Julia Schriefer qualified for the indoor track state championships.
Terry Grace, a fencing coach at the Wheatley School, was named Boys’ Fencing Coach of the Year by the Nassau County Fencing Coaches Association.
“It brings great privilege and honor tonight to celebrate these outstanding students,” Kamberg said.
Another issue taken up before approval of agenda items was a dangerous mid-block crosswalk in front of the North Side Elementary School on East Williston Avenue that has been a problem for the school, Kamberg said.
There was an accident recently during school hours at the crosswalk involving a student who attempted to cross the road. He said a crossing guard witnessed the minor accident, which was not reported to the police by the parties involved. The board learned of the incident through pictures it received.
Cars tend to speed toward the crosswalk and barely stop on it, Kamberg said, and frequently ignore the crossing guard, even passing stopped cars. He said the board will continue to bring up the issue as it advocates for changes to the crosswalk. It has sent a letter to Curran notifying her of the problem.
Possible changes requested included installing a traffic light on the corner of Hillside Avenue, which changes its name to East Williston Avenue in the East Williston area, or moving the mid-block crosswalk west to an intersection.
In its letter to Curran, the board also requested that the county install rumble strips and crocodile warning lights on the crosswalk.
Agenda items approved include the letter to Curran regarding traffic safety, improvements to the school’s infrastructure, and staff resignations and appointments, among others.
