Levittown Union Free School District

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Levittown Union Free School District (LUFSD) is a school district in central Nassau County on Long Island, approximately ten miles east of New York City. The district approximately 5.5 square miles (14 km²) includes parts of the following hamlets; Levittown, North Wantagh, and Seaford. Currently, there are six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-8), two high schools (9-12) and one career & technical center. The school District sits on over 200 acres (0.81 km²) of property, and its facilities occupy over 1,500,000 square feet (140,000 m²). The district has a transportation complex of 5 buildings, a buildings and grounds complex of 4 buildings, a middle school leased to B.O.C.E.S., 22 pump houses and storage sheds as well as vacant property on which once sat an elementary school. The district operates its own Transportation System, transporting over 4,000 students per day. Transportation is available for those students in Grades K-8 who live beyond 3/4 of a mile and 9-12 who live beyond 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from their respective school. The district is implementing an all day Kindergarten program beginning in 2011/12.

The school district administration is headed by Dr. James Grossane, the current Superintendent of Schools, appointed July 1, 2011 His contract expires on June 30th, 2014. The Board of Education President is Michael Pappas. He was elected to the Board of Education until June 30th. 2014.

                                2010/ 11 Budget information:                      2011/ 12 Budget information:
                          Budget .................192,843,142                Budget .................197,907,475
                          State Aid............... 50,060,010                State Aid............... 46,774,630
                          Tax Levy................120,905,806                Tax Levy................125,052,875
                          Applied Fund balance.....14,100,000                Applied Fund balance.....12,700,000
                          Other Revenues............7,778,000                Other Revenues............7,023,215

                                           BUDGET PASSED FOR 2011/12 2,967 to 2,414.

History

Levittown School District, which dates back to the 19th century, was originally called the Jerusalem School District of the Town of Hempstead. The school district actually services areas of Levittown, Wantagh, Seaford, Plainedge and a small part of Hicksville. It has approximately 7,500 students in 2011/12 down almost 200 for the 2nd consecutive year. The district also has one of the largest special education programs in the country and is widely purported to be one of the best in the Special Education Field. Its 2011 - 2012 budget was slightly over 197,000,000 USD. The district operates 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools. In 1983, a third HS was closed due to falling enrollment. That building, Levittown Memorial now serves as a central office, The Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center and the Alternative HS as well. The district recently closed Laurel Lane, which until June 2009 was the site of the alternative Education High School. The district also owns, and leases the buildings called Seaman's Neck, a former elementary School. The school district owns the historic little red schoolhouse on North Jerusalem road. Built in 1876, it was originally the only school building in Jerusalem District #5 in the 19th century. It has been updated according to historical guidelines and is currently leased as a day care facility. The district also owns property on Pintail Lane, a former elementary school built in 1958. It was closed due to low enrollment in 1976 and the building remained vacant until 1983 when the property was sold to developers. Neighborhood protests led to numerous delays after the building was razed. The property remains vacant today and is under the maintenance of the LUFSD.

Superintendents

The school district is also run by Assistant Superintendents who are assigned to different educational areas. The following is an updated list of Levittown's Current Superintendents:

• Dr. James Grossane ......Superintendent commencing on 7/1/11 for a 3 year period. His salary will be 225,000.00 per year.
• Ms. Debbie Rifkin ....... Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Salary 197,572.00 plus benefits including a 3% supplemental benefit.
• Ms. Darlene Rhatigan... Assistant Superintendent for Administration/Personnel Salary 203,156.00 plus benefits including a 3% supplemental benefit.
• Mr. Mark Flower.. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance (appointed July 26th 2011, term to begin August 26th 2011) signed 3 year agreement at 180,000.00 per year

Board of Education

• President - Michael Pappas - term expires 6/30/2014 -2,923 votes in 2011 election- Ran Unopposed in 2011
• Vice President - Peter Porrazzo - term expires 6/30/2014- 2,658 votes in 2011 election- Ran Unopposed in 2011
• Secretary - Kevin Regan - term expires 6/30/2012
• Trustee - Edward Powers - term expires 6/30/2012
• Trustee - Peggy Marenghi - term expires 6/30/2013
• Trustee - James Moran - term expires 6/30/2013- Past President
• Trustee - Frank Ward term expires 6/30/2014- 2,642 votes in 2011 election- Ran Unopposed in 2011

Trustee and Former BOE President James Ward retired on June 30th, 2011.

                    (As of July 1 2011)

Past BOE members:(10 years back)

Dan Bornstein Gina Interdonato John Garvey Hector Santiago Diane Shapiro Mike Moriarity Rosanne Gullens Ken Auer Ronald M. Kinberg George S. Bruno, Jr.

Schools

Elementary schools (K-5)

• Abbey Lane - Ms. Joann Wallace, Principal Abbey Lane School Erected 1949
• East Broadway - Jeanmarie Wink', Principal East Broadway School Erected1952
• Gardiners Avenue - Mrs. Susan Hendler, Principal Gardiners Ave School Erected 1949
• Lee Road - Mr. Anthony Goss, Principal Lee Road School Erected 1957
• Northside - Mr. Frank Mortillaro, Acting Principal Northside School Erected 1951. Note: Mr Squilacioti has been named acting director of Special Ed for the 2011/12 school year. School Erected 1951
• Summit Lane - Dr. Sally Evans, Principal Summit Lane School Erected 1952

Closed Schools

• Seaman Neck Elementary School- Closed ~1997
• Pintail Lane Primary School - Closed ~ School Erected 1958 closed 1976 due to declining enrollment
• Laurel Lane Primary School - Closed ~ School Erected 1956, converted to alternative HS. Closed in 2009 after AHS was merged into Voc. Ed building.

Middle schools (6-8)

• Jonas E. Salk - Mr.John Zampaglione, Principal Jonas Salk School Erected 1957 as a High School
• Wisdom Lane - John Avena, Principal Wisdom Lane School Erected 1954 as an Elementary school

High schools (9-12)

• Division Avenue High School - Dr. Francesco Ianni, Principal Division School Erected 1948 as a K-12 school
• General Douglas MacArthur - Mrs. Kathleen Valentino, Principal MacArthur School Erected 1961

Alternative Schools

• Levittown Memorial Education Center - The technical wing of the former High School was renamed the Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center Audre Miduro - Director [1] School Erected 1953 as a High School
• Laurel Lane Alternative Education High School - This building was closed on 6/30/2009. The alternative education Center was merged into the Levittown Memorial Education Center at a cost savings of approx. 550,000.00 USD per annum Laurel Lane was School Erected 1956 as an elementary school.

Other Programs

In School Literacy Centers- Each Elementary School will have an in school Literacy Center. Each student, in addition to general educational services and or remedial services will have an additional advanced reading period once a week for the entire school year.

Levittown After School Program commonly referred to as LAP. A self sustaining after school child care program utilizing district elementary schools for district school children in grades K-6. Adult Education

Early Morning Program- The Levittown School District will begin an Early Morning Program for the 2011/12. There is to be one at each elementary school. It will cost 100.00 per month per child. It will be a user based program fully funded by tuition. transportation will NOT be provided to the schools for the program. The Levittown A. M. Program (LAMP) is designed to offer working parents a childcare facility on days school is in session. The program will serve children currently enrolled in grades K - 5, who reside in the Levittown School District. The program will begin on September 8th, 2011 and operate from 7:10 am to 9:00 am.

Middle School and High School Breakfast Program- Both Middle Schools and both High Schools have an early morning Breakfast program on days that School is in session for the full day. They begin at 7:15 am.

Levittown Adult Continuing Education Program Serves Levittown and neighboring communities. Most courses are designed for adults eighteen and older. Free S.A.T preparation program for Levittown school district students.

Full Day Kindergarten The Levittown School District will have an all day Kindergarten Program for the first time ever in 2011/12!

Drivers Ed The school district runs a drivers Ed program that for 2011/12 was restructured to increase availability to the students, and at the same time reduce the cost from 550.00 per student to 470.00 per student.

Free S.A.T. Prep for HS seniors and those eligible to take the S.A.T.s.

Notable alumni

• Congressman Steve Israel
• Ballistic Bob, Long Island radio personality for stations such as WBLI, Party105.3, and WBEA.
• Keelin Curnuck, Miss New York 1996, Ms Venus Swimwear 1994 & former co-host of the ESPN exercise program BodyShaping
• James "Slim Jim" Fantom of the Stray Cats.
• Dr. Sterling Morrison and Maureen "Mo" Tucker of the Velvet Underground
• Ellie Greenwich, songwriter
• Billy Joel singer song writer, born May 9, 1949

External links

• Levittown Union Free School District
• MacArthur Alumni