Juan Castro, president of IAC opened the April meeting by thanking Dr. Mary Ellen Freeley, superintendent of Glen Cove Schools for hosting the event at the Finley School. Freeley was invited to inform the membership of the current issues at the school district. A loss of $500,000 state aid and the sky-rocketing health insurance and retirement costs have resulting in the need for constraints. The Certiori taxes will also impact the school’s budget. A freeze on new hires will not interfere with the initiative for a full schedule for incoming freshmen, and she thanked staff and guidance department for the improvement of scores. The PRIDE survey is forthcoming for both parents and students and the results of that survey are eagerly anticipated. Freeley spoke with pride of the accomplishment of the Robotic team’s recent finish in 4th place and the fact that the Glen Cove band opened the Robotic’s showcase. She thanked Photo Circuits for their assistance with the Robotic’s program. Two musicals Grease and Kiss me Kate received fine reviews from the community and involved over 200 students in the productions.

Castro thanked Freeley and introduced Brian Muellers, Nassau County Legislator, who explained that Nassau County is focused in two areas. The county executive along with the legislator is dealing with the budget mess and reducing the size of staff through attrition and retirement. A smart government initiative is possible with the enhanced technology presently available to deal with health and human services, public works, police, short term salary negotiation, Union concessions along with the tax increase, which is necessary, altogether will solve the budget mess. The county bond issue has already been upgraded and NIFA has endorsed the plan. The other area of concern is the aging of the suburbs (Levittown is 50-years old) and the lack of population growth in the last 20 years resulting in a lack of a new tax base. Green space must be preserved and traffic may improve if families don’t have to travel for leisurely pursuits. Therefore, moving forward and working with local agencies to develop Brown Fields and downtown areas with family friendly businesses.

The third speaker of the morning was Mitch Sahns, deputy county executive, who complimented IAC on its model program of collaboration. Sahns announced that with the advantages of technology, a “Single Point of Entry” that will create a more human, dignified manner of dealing with health and human services. Clients’ needs will be accessed, they will be pre-qualified, and a telephone support will further enhance delivery of service to those in need from food stamps, to a metro card. Sahns explained the county’s plans for Emergency Management indicating that an outside company has been hired to handle the implementation of the county’s plan. In addition, he touched on the cost saving plans of inpatient treatment centers and how outside providers under a centralized case management would greatly improve care as well as be more cost effective.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at 9 a.m. hosted by the Reverend Betsy Simpson at First Presbyterian Church. Member agencies are encouraged to have a representative attend the monthly meetings.