Plainview's welcomed as the district's new superintendent this week.
Lewis formally took her seat at the board's table for the first time at Monday's meeting, although she has been acting in that capacity since the beginning of August.
"I'm here, I'm finally here and I could not have imagined a more wonderful welcome," said Lewis, who was previously the superintendent at the East Williston School District. She replaces , who has retired.
Lewis said the theme for this school year is is "moving forward together."
"I feel we have the ingredients to make that happen," she said.
Board President also introduced the district's new assistant superintendent for human resources, Dr. Timothy T. Eagen.
Lewis said she was pleased to learn that has been removed from the state's list of schools in need of improvement, a result of state test scores that were favorable across the board in the district.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Jill Gierasch offered a review of those scores, which she said showed "steady progress in state test scores" across most of Plainview's grade levels. The scores are generally above those of many Nassau districts and far exceed the state average.
Parent Stefanie Nelkens addressed the board with concerns about the disparity of test scores in Plainview's two middle schools. She pointed to the generally higher scores at Mattlin Middle School, describing it as the "Manetto Hill achievement gap."
Gierasch said the district is addressing the differences both at the school level and a "child by child" basis. Lewis added the message will be communicated to building principals and staff in the coming weeks.
The complete test scores are available on the district's website here.
