The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Board of Education reworked the budget numbers at the last school board meeting and as it stands, the budget increase is now 1.52 percent from the 2014-15 budget. The tax levy limit set by the state for Oyster Bay is 1.68 percent and the school district’s budget is lower than the amount allowed by the state. It is the lowest budget-to-budget increase in more than16 years in Oyster Bay. The 1.52 percent is the final increase that was unanimously endorsed and adopted by the Board.
Special Presentation
The board gave a presentation on the history and background of drug and prevention initiatives in the district. Each of the district’s schools were highlighted in their efforts to make students aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Drug and alcohol awareness efforts at Teddy Roosevelt Elementary School have included classroom presentations, such as the Second Step Emotional Literacy Program, the Caring Kids Program, the Red Ribbon Campaign, crisis intervention and individual and group intervention and the Power Girls Leadership Group, which is an enrichment program designed to engage girls in activities that develop their social and emotional skills.
Drug and alcohol awareness initiatives at James Vernon include Red Ribbon Week, Power Girls Group, Ryan’s Story Assembly, Leader’s Club promoting healthy lifestyles through goal-setting and community action and visits from the Student Athlete Leadership Club at the high school to talk about the dangers of drugs and resisting peer pressure.
The district has an extensive amount of programs for students in seventh through 12th grades focused on the inherent danger of abusing drugs and alcohol. The Student Athlete Leadership Club (SALC,) ‘Be The Change’ and SADD are some of the many clubs throughout those grade levels.
There is open mic night for students, Challenge Day and Red Ribbon Week activities such as Teen Truth and Grim Reaper Day. Middle school health education in seventh and eighth grades include lessons and activities to inform students about risks associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs with the goal of abstinence. In high school health education in 10th grade, activities and experiences are centered around healthy choices and taking time to reflect on those choices.
The budget vote and trustee election will be held on Tuesday, May 19 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the high school.
