Comsewogue Super: This Year 'Could Have Been a Mess"

Comsewogue superintendent Joseph Rella on Monday wrapped up the final school board meeting of the year by celebrating the way the community came together to endure the challenges.

"I want to give kudos to every human being in this district," he said. "Parents, students, teachers, staff, administrators, everybody. It was a year that could have been a mess if you think about it."

He was referring to the re-organization of the elementary schools by grade levels; Hurricane Sandy; and the February blizzard. Throughout all the adversity, he said, Comsewogue showed its resolve.

"This would have been impossible in any other community on the planet," Rella said. "Comsewogue is special for so many reasons, not the least of which is in bad times they’re wonderful. ... When the pressure is on, this community comes out like gangbusters."

Administrators Granted Tenure

The school board voted to grant tenure to three administrators: Jennifer Reph, assistant superintendent for instruction; high school principal Joseph Coniglione; and Michael Mosca, executive assistant principal.

"We have outstanding teachers and admin in our district. The trio tonight are the best of the vintage," Rella said. 

Reph, who previously had tenure as the principal at Comsewogue High School, is just finishing her seventh year in the district. Coniglione, a former assistant principal, is also just finishing his seventh year, while Mosca has been with the district about five-and-a-half years.

Part-Time Employees Get Pay Increases

The school board on Tuesday voted to increase the hourly pay rates for part-time security officers, substitute teachers, and substitute monitors, custodians and skilled laborers. Rella said the pay increases amount to about 2 percent; for instance, substitute custodians and monitors will earn $10.20 per hour instead of $10 and skilled labor substitutes will earn $15.30 instead of $15.