The BOE held a special meeting this evening at 5:30pm with notice given to the public at 2:30pm yesterday. Before the meeting went into executive session to “obtain legal advice from counsel,” Tracy Miller was appointed to the Bellmore Merrick Central High School District Board to replace Wendy Gargiulo. Tracy brings 18 years of high school teaching experience to the Board and we wish her the best in her new role.

Most surprising on the agenda though, was the BOE approval of a new contract with Syntax Communication from 2/27/19 to 6/30/19 for a cost of $2,800 on an “as needed basis”. For those not familiar with Syntax Communications, they are a consulting firm that specializes in helping School Boards with their marketing, branding, and communication. You can view their website here : http://www.syntaxny.com/expertise/strategic

There was no public discussion for why their services are needed and why the vote could not wait until the scheduled 3/12/19 BOE meeting.

We are struggling to understand why Residents’ tax dollars are being used to hire a consultant mid-year to help the Board with their messaging. Especially after the 2/12/19 Budget Presentation where Superintendent Seniuk and Assistant Superintendent for Business McDaid stressed how tight the Budget was with the rising costs of unfunded mandates, health insurance, the bond payment, and audits. This is yet another Administrative expense in an Administrative Budget that seems to endlessly increase.

You can view the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1CUCaqQkNs