Glen Cove School Board President, Ida McQuair, Speaks at Coalition December Meeting

Glen Cove School Board member Richard Maccarone; School Board president, Ida McQuair; Coalition president, Helen Kotzky; School Board vice-president, Gail Nedbor-Gross; and School Board member Frank Bouza

Ida McQuair, president of the Glen Cove Board of Education, was the guest speaker at the December 14th meeting of the Coalition for Glen Cove.  Ms. McQuair spoke about the many initiatives that have contributed to the academic progress of our students and the overall quality of our schools.  The district’s number one goal for this year is “to continue to improve student achievement by continuing to create a culture of learning where academics come first”.   Math and ELA test scores, Regents scores and high school diploma rates have been steadily increasing. The goal and expectation is that more students will achieve at the highest levels of mastery.  Though test score data is most often how our students and districts are judged, our administration believes strongly that our students be engaged in an inquiry-based approach to learning which stimulates thinking and deeper understanding, not often measured by quantitative tests.

Ms. McQuair explained that another concern and goal of the school board is “to attract and retain young families in bringing and keeping their children in the Glen Cove Public Schools”.  A public relations committee is currently being formed and will include community members in an effort to convey to the public the many positive aspects of the Glen Cove Schools. Several coalition members expressed their confidence in the educational experiences of their own children in the public schools. There was agreement that much of the negative impression is based on misinformation and a lack of awareness and pride in the accomplishments of our students, who are from many different ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity is part of what makes Glen Cove unique amongst the local school districts and is considered by many to be one of it’s greatest assets. 

In response to questions about the upcoming budget process, Ms. McQuair emphasized that this will be one the most difficult fiscal years since 1991. The school board has worked tirelessly to win the confidence of the taxpayers and has consistently made decisions which are fiscally prudent. As a result, the district finds itself better off relative to other districts that are not as experienced at containing costs.  Ms. McQuair stated that the students come first in every decision that the board makes and that many of the decisions are made with great difficulty. She complimented her colleagues on the board for the many hours they serve our community in such a challenging volunteer position.

The Coalition thanks those who have devoted their time to serving our public schools as school board members and encourages the public to attend school board meetings, stay informed, and be advocates for the students of Glen Cove.