Greenvale, NY - July 19, 2017 - William Floyd Board of Education President Robert Vecchio was recently tapped by Dr. Joseph Lemke, a lecturer at LIU Post and Director of Social Studies in the Bay Shore School District, to speak to his “Multiple Perspectives on Educational Policy Analysis and the History of Educational Reform” class in the university’s Doctor of Education Program. Mr. Vecchio spoke on the topics of local governance and the media’s influence on education.
“I enjoyed talking to current and future school leaders about the issues we face in public education,” said Mr. Vecchio. “We discussed what is going well and, just as important, where there is room for growth in our system throughout New York State.”
Dr. Lemke noted that student feedback from Mr. Vecchio’s visit was very positive. “They were quite inspired by his knowledge of the issues, as well as his passion and dedication.”
Mr. Vecchio, a 25-year resident of the William Floyd School District, just completed his 14th year of board service (first elected in 2003). He has served as president of the Board of Education since 2006 and continues to provide strong board leadership. Throughout his tenure, the district is experiencing an upward trajectory including a graduation rate that has increased by 20 percentage points in the past 11 years. He, along with his Board colleagues, successfully championed many new and innovative programs such as the in-house Career and Technical Education program, the creation of the on-site William Floyd Family Center, and successfully navigated the district through the recession with fiscally smart and responsible oversight and budgeting. Mr. Vecchio also spearheaded the creation of the first Brookhaven Town chapter of “Our Community Salutes,” a program that recognizes high school seniors who have committed to serve in the Armed Forces after graduation.
Additionally, Mr. Vecchio hosts a weekly radio show, “Spotlight on LI Schools,” on LI News Radio 103.9, showcasing all of the great things happening in schools across Long Island. He is also the first recipient of the New York State School Board Association’s “Champion for Change” award in 2015, which went toward a “champion for children who fosters creative change that enriches educational opportunities and inspires other school board members to make similar or even greater contributions.”