Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill
$1
Friday, June 29, 2018
Vol. 6, No. 26
M FATHER’S MY GREENTREE SCHWARTZ DROPS PLACE RETURNS ANNOUNCES GRANTS RACE WITH KAPLAN P PAGE 37 P
PAGE 2
PAGE 6
Removal of lax coach taints state win: team Angry parents, players pack ed board meeting to voice concerns BY R E B ECC A K L A R The Manhasset girls varsity lacrosse coach was not reappointed to her role about two weeks after she led the team to a Class B state championship win. The members of the team, and many of their parents, filled the Charlie Cardillo Community Room at Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting to voice concern over the district’s decision to not reappoint coach Danielle Gallagher. One mother said the decision robs the team of all it accomplished – adding that Gallagher’s removal taints the girls’ state win on June 9. The board said that it could not discuss personnel matters in public. “Personnel is personal,” Trustee Pat Aitken said. All coaching assignments are made as year-to-year appointments, and recommendations for
upcoming coaching assignments will be made over the summer. Board President Regina Rule said this was the first she was hearing of the situation. “I had a daughter on the 2014 team, so I have a sense of what you all are feeling in terms of celebratory mood that you had and the joy that you had on the field this year,” Rule said. “… And i just want to say my heart is with you and we wish for you the best.” Rule added that she’s grateful to the parents and students who came out and thanked them for “understanding what we need to go through in following up with this.” The board suggested a group of two to four people set up an appointment to discuss the issue with Superintendent Vincent Butera. Butera said he can meet as early as the first week of July. “I can understand the frustration with the process, but there are Continued on Page 82
PHOTO COURTESY OF MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Manhasset High School Class of 2018 celebrates receiving diplomas at the end of the school’s 98th annual commencement ceremony on June 22 at Manhasset Secondary School.
Class of 2018 focuses on passions, dreams BY A M E L I A C A M U R AT I
had dropped the habit, Chung opted to take a stand and kicked his uncle square in the When Manhasset High shin. From then, Chung said, he School valedictorian Ryan Chung found his uncle smok- knew change could be made at ing when his family thought he the most local, personal levels
and urged his fellow Class of 2018 graduates on Friday to focus their future on implementing changes to improve their lives as well as society. As the generation that Continued on Page 26
For the latest news visit us at www.theislandnow.com D on’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Theislandnow and Facebook at facebo ok.com/theislandnow