ROCKY POINT BOE DISGRACING OUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY!

Stacy Golik-King Mass email from Nofi and Burke.
Friends,
Over the past few months there has been a growing chorus of discontent regarding our school district coming from a few malcontents. These unscrupulous people are trying to make the community believe that there is something wrong in the Rocky Point School District when quite the opposite is true. We should be more proud of our District and what it is providing our children than ever. Despite what have been the most challenging socioeconomic times since the great depression, Rocky Point has been able to grow and improve the District in every way. While others around us have been cutting faculty and staff, programs for students and generally delivering less for the community, Rocky Point has augmented our staff, delivered new exciting and enriching programs and improved our facilities.At the heart of the success Rocky Point has demonstrated over the past three years is the faculty and staff of the District lead by a superior Superintendent. Dr. Michael Ring has delivered to Rocky Point exactly what it needed; a keen sense academic and financial leadership, foresight and stewardship. Naming all of the accomplishments lead by Dr. Ring would take too long, but to name just a few:Academic Achievements:Created the first-ever strategic plan addressing areas for academic excellence, organizational development, and fiscal sustainability Developed and instituted support programs for at-risk students and struggling learners, including: ICARE SHARP Credit recovery Test preparation READ 180 and System 44 Instituted numerous new elective courses Instituted eight new Advanced Placement (AP) courses Increased availability of career and vocational programs by 100%, now allowing over 90 students to participate in these programs Reformed Special Education department to improve service, increase communication and deliver a higher level of Least Restrictive Environment, including reducing inclusion ratios each year Increased graduation rate from 85% to 92% within three years Fiscal Achievements: Instituted two Capital Reserve funds which provided for: New High School roof Asbestos abatement at the High School and JAE Renovation of the High School bathrooms near the gym as well as the boys locker room showers and bathroom Renovation of three High School science classrooms New High School track Installation of artificial turf field at the High School Renovation of four HS bathrooms All with no additional cost to taxpayers Maintained our full program of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities Worked with legislators to recover millions in building aid lost due to errors by prior administration And, as Asst Superintendent was the driving force behind the elimination of the old Central Administration office and the move to FJC. Saving the District over $250,000 a year.To simply speak of what Dr. Ring has saved this District does not do justice to the tremendous program improvement and progress the District has made during his tenure. And all of this during a time when are neighboring districts are making difficult decisions on where and how to reduce services. The even more amazing part is that all of these programs were not delivered at the expense of the future. We fully expect to continue to deliver on our existing programs and meet our financial obligations under the tax cap over the next several years. I don’t understand the actions of the select disgruntled group and the way they represent Rocky Point at the last Board meeting was repugnant.It was an unruly mob that openly attacked the tremendous professionals leading our District using innuendo, mistruths and defamations to further their own selfish agendas. I have had many other community members approach me with their disgust and disappoint in the actions of this select few and how poorly their actions reflect on Rocky Point. I appreciate this feedback and ask each of you to continue to support the great accomplishments of the Rocky Point Schools and out talent professionalsI am proud of what we have accomplished in my time on the Board of Education and consider myself and our community very fortunate to have a man of Dr. Ring’s intellect, professionalism and ethics leading us to great heights.