B-BP Board Approves High School Science Research Program

With the board of education’s unanimous vote Thursday, Bayport-Blue Point students interested in science research will now be able to enroll in the program at the high school level.

Board president Jim March decided to go ahead with a vote on the program despite the absence of two board members (Leo Camarda, Jane Burgess), and vice president Andrea O’Neill was the first to ‘OK’ the program, which has already been at the middle school for several years. The middle school science research program built the foundation for the students to continue this course in high school; there are 30 students entering ninth grade in fall 2012 that already have a background in the program.

The cost is not to exceed $130,000, with a majority of those funds going toward staffing. Superintendent Anthony Annunziato said 2013-2014 will also be a difficult year in terms of finances, and board members sought assurance from administration that the district would be able to fund the science program in future budgets.

“We took a long, hard look at science numbers and they’re very consistent,” Annunziato said. “The chance of us excessing a science teacher is very slim.”

As far as staffing goes, Annunziato thinks the district should be able to find a teacher to run the program for $80,000, including benefits. The position requires multiple certifications and a strong background in research, Annunziato said.

March asked Annunziato about the pool of candidates for the position, to which Annunziato responded that the pool is “adequate,” but the district will likely have to look further.

“We need to look beyond just Long Island, to New York City and other states,” Annunziato said. “We’ll reach out to colleges and universities as well.”

The science research program involves greenhouses for which there are temperature regulations. Michael Cipriani, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said the district could discuss the issue of temperature control with Ameresco, the Melville-based energy management that the district entered into an with in early February.

“We can talk to them [Ameresco] about including these things in the contract, it’s not too late,” Cipriani said.