By Samuel Glasser
The North Shore Schools new administrative management team was rounded out with the appointment of two assistant superintendents at the Board of Education meeting on May 26.
Dr. CarolAnn Smyth was named interim assistant superintendent of instruction for the 2022-2023 school year, succeeding Dr. Christopher Zublionis, who was previously named as the new superintendent. Smyth is currently the district director of science, technology, engineering, art, and math for the elementary grades.
James Pappas, currently the assistant superintendent of business for the Freeport schools, will assume that position at North Shore. He succeeds Olivia Buatsi. She is retiring “after years of exemplary service to the district,” said Dr. Tom Dolan, the current interim superintendent who is leaving that position.
The personnel changes all take effect July 1.
In other matters, Dolan noted that the agreement between the Long Island Power Authority and Nassau County that would settle a decade-long tax certiorari case for the Glenwood Landing power plant was approved by the county Legislature and now requires final court approval.
Dolan said if the settlement is approved the impact on the district’s taxpayers will be publicly discussed with the community.
LIPA claims that the county over-assessed the Glenwood Landing plant, which is located within the North Shore School District, and a generating station in Island Park. It is estimated that the settlement reached in early April involving Glenwood Landing would shift $2.8 million in tax liability from LIPA to the property owners in the North Shore School District in the coming school year, according to a presentation posted on the district website.
Similar tax certiorari cases have been brought by LIPA in Suffolk County regarding its facilities there.
The school district’s $116 million budget was approved by voters May 17 with a 2.5% increase in the tax levy.
In other business, the board voted to use $580,000 from the repair reserve to fund district-wide repairs to the heating-ventilation-air conditioning systems at district facilities.
The board also recognized 138 students from the elementary, middle and high schools for achievements in several academic fields and competitions, including fine and performing arts, writing and poetry, robotics, and mathematics.
In addressing a full auditorium, Dolan said, “a board meeting that honors 138 students for accomplishments in the arts, creative writing, technology, math and service to the community is certainly an affirming way to spend the night. I am honored to be given an opportunity to do so here in North Shore and I congratulate the students honored, parents present and staff members who stand behind those accomplishments.”
