Greetings From the Superintendent

                        
Dear Glen Cove School Colleagues, Parents and Residents:

Last month I met with our instructional staff as part of a scheduled Superintendent’s Conference Day. Staff development sessions such as this present an opportunity to reinforce the Glen Cove philosophy for teaching and learning and to provide educators with an opportunity to share information and become fully up to speed on the changes that are taking place, such as the new Common Core Standards. I was impressed by their enthusiasm to continue improving at their profession. I see their dedication in the classroom every day, and it is reassuring to know that no one is resting on their laurels.

Local control of education is a vibrant part of the American fabric. Lawmakers in Albany attempt to pry this away from us through mandates and the most recent tax cap legislation – which in spirit is just, but in methodology is flawed. We know full well that programs and “fads of the season” come and go, but master teaching will always trump bad politics and bureaucracy. Therefore, the message that I impart on our teachers is that despite diminishing financial resources and control, we can plow a path to greatness for our children.

I believe our prescription for success lies in the following:

• Actualize the Glen Cove Vision Statement (which can be found on this website)
• Implement initiatives of Effective Schools Research, which principals have already been advancing and discussing at faculty meetings
• Understand and address the seven NYS teaching standards
• Fully understand and incorporate the NYS and National Common Core Learning Standards into daily instruction
• Focus on Standards, Achievements, Values, Expectations and Discipline (SAVED), both for students and for ourselves
• Enable students to master the grade level proficiencies (also on this site)
• Maintain a common north as we move forward together. Let’s work together to help each other. The things that make us the same are more important than the things that make us different.  
• Believe that all children can learn, regardless of race, color, income level, and socio-economic status. To believe otherwise represents the soft bigotry of low expectations.

I often tell people, Glen Cove and its student population is a mosaic of faces from the world. Our cultural diversity is our strength – it’s what makes us great – and it should never be used as an impediment to achieving our goals. We educate all of the children of the world here and accept the responsibility and challenge that comes with this.

As we wrap up our first budget development season under New York State’s new tax cap legislation, I am pleased to report that the responsible efficiencies we have created in recent years, coupled with sound fiscal planning, have enabled us to present a budget that is within our cap restriction – without sacrificing programs. This is significant, given the fiscal climate, the impact of the new legislation, and the fact that districts throughout the region are making draconian cuts to meet their respective legal tax levy limits and avoid exceeding the cap, which would require a supermajority of voter approval (60%).  Many of my colleagues in education fear that if not amended, the current law will lead districts to insolvency. I assure you that this Board and administration will do everything in its power to ensure this legislation does not force Glen Cove to make cuts that adversely affect the quality of education in future years.

Our success as a school district will not be defined by the lawmakers in Albany, but rather by the support of our community, the wisdom parents impart to their children, and the quality of instruction delivered by our educators. Their unrelenting focus on the prescription I have outlined will enable us to rise above all swirling issues. Despite the fact that we never really know where their influence ends, let us remember that through the hands of teachers pass the members of all other professions and occupations. Let us be uplifted in knowing that a rising tide lifts all boats, and that as a united community, we have the power to maintain our tradition of quality so that we can create a future of excellence. TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN…WE CAN!

I look forward to seeing you all around town, in our schools, and at the polls on Tuesday, May 15. Please remember to vote in this year’s school budget vote and trustee election.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joseph A. Laria
Superintendent of Schools

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