Rockville Centre board meeting: state champion volleyball recognized; students, teachers and community groups summarize achievements

The Rockville Centre Union Free School District Board of Education opened its Jan. 15 meeting with recognition of the girls' varsity volleyball team and coaches for an outstanding season culminating in a New York State Class A championship.

Mister Maguire introduced the team and listed players and honors, noting the team finished the season 17-1 and won county, Long Island and state titles. He also recognized head coach Steve Mariano, assisted by Katie D'Angelo, and listed several individual awards including Kira Mullaney'section 8 player of the year and Newsday player of the year.

Student Board Member Kelly updated the board on a schoolwide survey the SGA is developing to collect student feedback on what they most appreciate about school and one change that would improve daily experience.

The board heard several community and school presentations: Cara Spinelli spoke on behalf of Wilson School and described top events and enrichment programming from the first half of 2025-26 and previewed a Winter Olympics multidisciplinary event planned for the spring. Megan O'Brien, an English teacher at Southside High School, summarized music programs, student research awards, IB activities and service projects, including an assembly supported by an Ed Foundation grant and device donations for pediatric patients.

Superintendent Gavin also reported that a Virtual Enterprise team, "Soul Switch," earned a silver award for best sales pitch at a regional trade show at LIU Post and described other student projects.

The board thanked students, coaches and staff and took photographs to recognize the volleyball team.