Residents can vote on the district’s proposed $88 million budget and for board of education trustee candidates at Bayport-Blue Point High School on Tuesday, May 19, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
There are two uncontested seats on the Bayport-Blue Point School District’s Board of Education in the upcoming school board election.
Incumbent trustees Jessica Pignataro and Michael Miller are each running for one of the two, three-year trustee terms during the school board election on Tuesday, May 19.
While each candidate is running unopposed,The Suffolk County Newsreached out to the trustees seeking re-election about why they want to continue serving on the Bayport-Blue Point School District Board of Education. Here are their responses:
What have been your proudest accomplishments while serving on the board?
Pignataro: I am extremely proud of the expansion of mental health services for our students. We were able to make our Social Worker positions permanent in every building, and expand our Elementary School Counselor position from part-time to full-time. We have supported the addition of new clubs and extracurricular activities for our students, and recently opened the new Wellness Center, a welcoming indoor/outdoor space at Bayport-Blue Point High School. I am also proud of the enhancements we have made to district security, including camera upgrades, facility upgrades, and extended hours for our security guards.
Miller: I have come to appreciate that every accomplishment is truly a team effort. Nothing is done alone—it is, and always will be, the result of collaboration among the board, administration, faculty, staff, and community.
I am proud to have played a small role in continuing to strengthen and expand our academic programs. This includes ensuring that all juniors and seniors who wish to attend BOCES are able to do so, providing universal access to pre-K for families who want a seat, and expanding special education opportunities, including increased co-teaching across grade levels. We have also enhanced our academic offerings by adding more electives and rigorous coursework, such as the AP Capstone program.
In addition, we reduced transportation mileage requirements, allowing more students to access safe and reliable busing to and from school each day.
I am especially proud of the strong, respectful relationships we have built with all of our bargaining units over these 12 years. That mutual respect has helped foster a positive working environment where morale can thrive, ultimately benefiting our students and the entire school community.
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