After district counsel gave an update on teacher contract negotiations (see related article), the Garden City Board of Education conducted the following business at its November 20th meeting:

David Tellier, senior manager in Callaghan Nawrocki, LLP, the firm that conducts the independent external audit for the Garden City School District, gave a report on a recent audit conducted by the firm. The audit found no material weaknesses in the district's financial statements. The audit will be available for public review in the Administration Building in the office of Albert Chase, the district's assistant superintendent for business and finance, or at the Garden City Public Library.

The Board accepted a $500 gift from Exxon Mobil to purchase cardiovascular equipment for the health and wellness center at the Middle School. Physical Education teacher Wendy Logue had applied for the grant as part of the company's annual Educational Alliance Grant Program. This is the fourth year the district has been selected.

"The corporation provides its dealers with the opportunity to thank the people that support their businesses by investing in the education of their children," explained Exxon Mobil owner representative Roland Zeh.

Harvinder Singh, owner of Mobil on the Run on Stewart Avenue, nominated Garden City Middle School to receive one of the 4,000 grants available nationwide. "Mr. Singh strongly believes in the importance of giving something back to the community, as well as stimulating the relationship with the patrons of his business," said Zeh.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen dedicated part of his monthly report to congratulating several students and athletic teams, as well as Stratford teacher Leigh Dowden, who was recently named Dowling/News 12 Educator of the Month and Channel 55's Educator of the Week. He showed a short promotional piece aired recently on Channel 55 featuring Dowden.

Dr. Feirsen also recognized the following students: Lauren Panariello, winner of the National Council of Teachers of English Teachers Writing Achievement Award; Kevin Volpe, scholar finalist in the National Hispanic Recognition Program; and Caitlin Mullins, the 28th student from Garden City to be awarded the News 12/Citibank Scholar Athlete Award.

Dr. Feirsen also announced that the Garden City High School was named a Grammy Signature School for the third time. This is a prestigious honor, he explained, since only 128 schools are selected nationwide.

The Board presented an award to John Powell, the district's former assistant superintendent for business and finance, for his five years of service to the district. Powell accepted a position in the Great Neck School District in September and was replaced by Albert Chase.