A LOOK AT STUDENT HEALTH p 6-7
EDITORIAL HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES IN THE CYBER CAFE p3 ENTERTAINMENT PREVIEW OF MHS MUSICAL “INTO THE WOODS” p9 SPORTS SPOTLIGHT ON MASSAPEQUA’S FINEST ATHLETES p12
MARCH 15 , 2013 Vol. LXI, ISSUE 3
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Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758
Superintendent Sulc to retire after 44 years in district BY JOE ZAPPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
one hundred students each year, indicating a possible need for re-structuring down the road. Despite these challenges, Mr. Sulc believes “our expectations and standards have grown over the last ten years, and our kids have proven time
or fourth lowest amount of money per student each year, Mr. Sulc is confident that the “quality of our instructional staff and the scope of our AP and music programs provide far better opportunities for students than local private and parochial schools.” Undoubtedly, more money to work with does not always ensure better results, and the successes of this district attest to the capacity of dedication and talent to overcome fiscal boundaries. Regardless, that does not mean that more money could not open some doors. In an ideal world—one in which there are no monetary constraints— Mr. Sulc would upgrade the district’s facilities by adding new science labs, a TV studio, athletic facilities with allweather surfaces, and a swimming pool. He would also institute a more advanced alumni network, expand interdisciplinary learning, and research the possibility of a kindergarten through second grade environment in which students could Superintendent of Schools, Charles Sulc, committed his career to improving Massapequa advance to the next grade at their own pace. These are Mr. Sulc’s greatest viAt last year’s senior citizens per- and time again that they can meet those sions for the district, but that which he formance of Hello Dolly!, a group ap- standards.” He is particularly proud of has accomplished already is enough for proached him and told him they had seen the school’s recognition as an AP Honor a lasting legacy. many different high school productions Roll school, which demonstrates everAs the years go by, Mr. Sulc will on Long Island and held Massapequa’s increasing opportunities for students be remembered as an adamant supmusicals in the highest esteem of all. to take more challenging courses, as porter of ever-increasing opportunities Mr. Sulc said that compliments such as well as the success of students in those for students, an integral player in the these augment his pride in the fine work courses. In addition, he lauded Mass- expansion of district technology and its and commitment of students and staff. apequa’s special education program as use in the classroom, and most of all, as However, the path to success has “one of the finest on Long Island and a fair, candid leader. Mr. Sulc’s advice to not been easy. Like any district, Mass- in New York.” He is proud that the Mrs. Lucille Iconis, his successor, says apequa has faced many challenges over district offers opportunities to kids of a great deal about him: “I told her to be the years, and continues to face several all ability levels to make the most of herself, to utilize the skill sets of a great today. Mr. Sulc cited the tax cap, which their education. team of people surrounding her, and to could “impact the district’s ability to In fact, though many may not always be fair.” A true team player and cater to students,” and declining enroll- realize it, Massapequa School District a champion of his students, Superintenment as obstacles we must overcome as has always made the most of its re- dent Mr. Charles V. Sulc shall not soon a community. Unfortunately, enrollment sources—relatively limited as they may be forgotten. across the district is dropping by about be. Though Massapequa spends the third BRANDAN LAWRENCE//THE CHIEF
It is said that the average American will change jobs at least three times in his lifetime. In contrast, Superintendent Charles V. Sulc will retire this year after forty-four years in education; he has spent every one of them working to better the lives of Massapequa students. Mr. Sulc began his career as a math teacher, and became chairperson ten years later. Though he often missed teaching during his years as an administrator, he took the job because he “wanted to bring [positive change] to other kids,” than just the one hundred or so students with whom a classroom teacher gets to work. As Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Sulc elaborated on his earlier sentiments, saying “the ability to affect the education of almost eight thousand students” is the most rewarding aspect of his job, and that what he does is just “an extension of the work one does as a classroom teacher.” Clearly, his passion for having a positive impact on kids drove him throughout his entire career. Even clearer than his passion for helping students may be his pride in the Massapequa community, and that which students, teachers, and administrators have accomplished together. He insisted that it takes “a combination of factors to build a strong school system: parents, students, and staff” and that we as a district “have evidence in each and every area of the strength of our programs and the success of our kids.” Though he admitted that he does not love politics, Mr. Sulc certainly has charisma; his candor and genuine amiability would make anyone feel comfortable talking to him. He also paints an attractive picture of Massapequa Schools, and he does so with good
reason. As he pointed out, “our athletic programs have ongoing success, and the athletes do it in the classroom too; we send several students to All-State or All-Eastern for music every year, and the quality of the musicals in this district is outstanding.”
State cuts put district under pressure to reduce spending BY NELSON GOMEZ
ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR
Despite the spending restrictions that Massapequa School District put in place last year, limited income and a hike in spending continue to haunt the district—a story all too familiar to Massapequa residents. Primarily to blame for the six million dollar deficit are the state government’s decisions to cut millions of dollars in state aid as well as enact a two percent tax levy cap. “We’re outraged — our local legislators were outraged that the governor would do this to a region like Massapequa,” Deputy Superintendent Mr. Alan Adcock said. “We are seriously being shortchanged by New York State.” Without enough revenue to offset hikes in pension and insurance premiums imposed by the state and federal governments, the school district is currently 3.8 million dollars in the hole for the instructional budget alone.
At the unveiling of the proposed general budget on February 7, the Board of Education made it clear that a wide assortment of factors mostly outside of the school district’s control have contributed to the massive spending gap. In order to make up for such large losses, district administrators have attempted to reduce energy costs, consolidate bus routes, and cut wasted and unnecessary supplies. “We have put in energy performance contracts to burn more efficient [fuel]...we’ve refinanced some of our bonds to get lower interest rates,” Mr. Adcock said. Still, it is not enough. Without creating a budget that raises spending above the tax levy, more spending cuts may need to be made to the instructional budget, which could result in less popular courses no longer being offered, clubs and other extracurricular activities being shut down, and an increase in class sizes in the event that any teachers
are laid off. “You can’t make up a loss in revenue by taxing for it because there’s a state cap in place. So the only thing most school districts can do is to cut expenditures out of the school district’s programs,” Mr. Adcock said. Although the district can propose to raise spending above the tax cap, enacting such a measure would require a supermajority vote — over sixty percent of Massapequa residents would need to approve such a budget. “We can’t exceed it unless we get a supermajority where sixty percent of voters support it, which, in Massapequa, over the last forty years, only happened three times.” Despite the budget woes that are being dealt with, bittersweet relief could be found by unexpected means. With enrollment declining by about 150 students each year, teachers may be laid off, reducing the costs of salaries while keeping class sizes at current levels.
“Declining enrollment helps us a bit,” said Mr. Adcock. “In educating less students, it would cost us less to continue to provide those programs.” This is merely a reiteration of last year’s budget crisis, and as long as the two percent cap remains in place, local educators, administrators, and residents will continue to face the frustration and disappointment of having to constantly reduce spending each year. Ultimately, the fallout from these new spending constraints has yet to be seen entirely; most of the excess has already been trimmed from the budget, and it seems that instructional program cuts are the district’s only other option. There is hope that few programs will be affected, but the future of Massapequa’s education and the pride that revolves around it will remain shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty until the administrative office unveils its instructional budget.