Floyd board makes plans for vacant seat

At the regularly scheduled meeting on October 29, the Board of Education appointed a new vice president, announced that the seat will remain vacant until 2020 and honored the legacy and service of longtime trustee and former vice president, Jeananne Dawson, who passed away on September 26, after 40 years of dedicated service to the William Floyd community. 

The Board announced that they will not appoint a new trustee, nor will they hold a special election to fill the remainder of Dawson’s term, which expires on June 30, 2019. With just eight months left in the term, the Board feels strongly that the community should decide the next trustee in May. “Following in the footsteps of Mrs. Dawson is going to take several months and the community to decide,” said board president Robert Vecchio.

The annual budget vote and trustee election is scheduled for May 19, 2020.

The Board of Education unanimously selected April Coppola as their new vice president. She will serve as the vice president for the remainder of this school year through June 30, 2020. Each July, Board officers are selected by their fellow trustees at the annual reorganizational meeting

Coppola recited the oath of office administered by district clerk, Carolyn Visintin. Vecchio also took the opportunity to thank the members of Coppola’s family who were in attendance for their shared sacrifice as she continues to devote countless hours to the betterment of the district’s schools and community. This moment was extra special to Coppola, as not only was Dawson a dear friend, but she was a mentor.

“I will be forever blessed to have known Jean and will embrace all that she has taught me,” said Coppola.

To honor and memorialize the dedicated service and love that Jeananne Dawson had for her schools and community, the Board of Education voted unanimously to rename the William Floyd High School library as the Jeananne Dawson Memorial Library.

“This room that we are sitting in, after tonight, will be known as the Jeananne Dawson Memorial Library,” said Vecchio at the meeting, to tears and applause from many of those in attendance. “We, as a Board, thought it was a fitting tribute to name the high school library in her honor since this is where the Board meets twice per month and, more importantly, a place where kids come to learn and read.”

Vecchio also addressed members of Mrs. Dawson’s family who were in attendance. He concluded the presentation by reading a proclamation detailing her legacy of service and dedication to the district’s schools and community and presenting a copy of it to her daughter, Michelle, who accepted it on behalf of the Dawson family. A dedication ceremony and formal plaque unveiling will take place at some point in early 2020.