Academic achievement, student research and district operations were the focus of the Roslyn Board of Education meeting on Thursday, April 16.
The meeting opened with the recognition of Class of 2026 valedictorian Ben Davidson, who was described by administrators as an exceptional student and community member.
“Mention his name to any staff member at Roslyn, and you will be met with the same immediate response,” said Dave Lazarus, Roslyn High School principal. “They’ll say, ‘He’s simply amazing.’”
Lazarus highlighted Davidson’s academic success, volunteer work and plans to attend Princeton University.
The board also recognized students involved in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the nation’s most prestigious science competitions. Senior Olivia Jacobson presented her research on political polarization, explaining that “political polarization… is at the highest level that it has been in the past 50 years.”
Her study examined how voters respond to bipartisan versus partisan candidates.
She found that “there was an overwhelmingly large support for a bipartisan candidate” when the issue was neutral, such as education, but that support diminished when the topic became more divisive.
“Polarization seems to intensify when there’s a polarizing issue like gun control at hand,” Jacobson said.
Board President Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy praised her work. She said, “This discussion is sorely, sorely needed… the one thing I miss the most is civil discourse.”
In addition to student recognition, the board approved multiple personnel appointments, welcoming new teachers and staff to the district. Several new hires addressed the board briefly.
Source: LI Press
