The Garden City Board of Education ended the school year by recognizing student achievement and saying farewell to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Marylou McDermott and School Board Vice President Dr. Nancy Fredericks.

Dr. McDermott will be leaving the district July 1st after 11 years to become the Superintendent of Schools in the Northport-East Northport School district. Dr. Fredericks is stepping down from the School Board after serving as vice president for eight years. They both received plaques from the school district. It was also announced that John Powell, assistant superintendent for business and finance, will be leaving in September.

Despite the sadness associated with goodbyes, it was also an evening for smiles and lots of clapping as the Board recognized a large group of students for their outstanding achievement. Six students who won medals in the 2006 Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged were congratulated: Matthew Castellano, Grayce Nix, Michael Lynch, Colin Ripp, Alison Silver and John Timmins. School Board President Kenneth Monaghan also recognized many students who have recently won scholarships and awards. Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen mentioned athletic teams that excelled this year.

The Board also recognized the Middle School for officially receiving its formal notice of accreditation from the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association. This is the only middle school on Long Island to receive accreditation.

To receive accreditation, the school was visited by trained evaluators from the association. The accreditation process examines the entire school, including its philosophy, goals, programs, services and facilities. Accreditation encourages and facilitates school improvement and validates to the public the integrity of a school's program.

Later in the evening, Dr. Feirsen gave a presentation on the district's curriculum cycle and Stuart Dods, chairperson of the High School Mathematics Department, gave an update on the district's mathematics program. Since starting as superintendent last year, one of Dr. Feirsen's goals has been to find a systematized way of looking at curriculum to ensure that it is aligned with what is learned in the classroom. Several things influence curriculum, including budget, state mandates, developmental needs, what we know about learning, college/work requirements, community expectations and standards.

Dr. Feirsen explained the five phases of the curriculum cycle which he is trying to integrate into the school district. The district is in the first phase, which is known as the "spotlight year" and is a time to collect and organize information. In phase II, the data is reviewed and analyzed and a strategic plan is established. The third phase involves actual implementation. In phase IV, implementation continues, but is closely monitored and adjustments are made. Phase V is a time to evaluate and reflect.

As an example of a department which is currently involved in phase I, Dr. Feirsen introduced Math Chairperson Stuart Dods, who gave an update on the district's math curriculum. The department attempts to help students develop mathematical understanding and knowledge, recognize the interrelatedness of mathematics and other life experiences and appreciate the "power and beauty" of math.

The K-8 math curriculum committee will continue to hone new curriculum content and instruction and review textbooks and support materials. They will also continue professional communication, and work to develop curriculum maps and an information sheet(s) for parents.

In other news, a woman in the audience asked the district to comment on the future of the sports program now that Garden City High School boys lacrosse coach William "Doc" Dougherty was arraigned on charges of petty larceny for allegedly stealing the license plate from a neighbor's car.

According to published reports, Dougherty, 64, of Freeport, was arrested on June 7 for taking a license plate off the car of William Wall. Wall, 47, said the two have been feuding for almost a decade. The incident was caught by a surveillance camera Wall installed in front of his home six months ago after suspecting Dougherty of several instances of foul play.

School Board President Kenneth Monaghan said the Board was aware of the situation but would not comment on personnel issues.