Distinguished Service Award

John Verdone - Sayville (ret.)

John Verdone was first appointed to the Sayville Board of Education in 2003 and was re-elected 7 times. He served many of his 20 years as president. His service to the Sayville School District started before he was appointed to the board. He served on several committees which included; the Drug and Alcohol Steering Committee, and was chair of the Capital Referendum Committee which helped see the successful passage of a $35 million dollar bond project, just to name a few. He retired from the board in 2023 after what he said was the toughest decision he had to make in his 20 years of service and left due to health reasons.

In addition to his service to Sayville, John served many other boards as well. In 2006, he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association and held several positions during his tenure. He would serve as the Association's president from 2019-2021. He also served as President of the Islip Town School Board for 4 terms and served on the Executive Committee of REFIT for 8 years.

John was a passionate and dedicated advocate not only for his home district but the entire region of Long Island. For many years he was appointed as a delegate from New York to the National School Boards Association's Federal Relations Network and continued to attend and represent Long Island and New York when it was became the National Advocacy Institute.

John was also a regular in the halls of Albany and always took part in NYSSBA's Capital Conference advocating with our state officials for Long Island's fair share of funding and was a visible and vocal advocate for the region during the Gap Elimination Adjustment years when State funding was slashed during the recession. He received NYSSBA's "Board Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2020.

During his tenure in Sayville, he was part of the governance team that oversaw capital projects, the successful transitions of four Superintendents and two budgets that reduced tax levies for Sayville property owners. In addition, John was instrumental in Sayville School District being designated a Blue Ribbon School and a School District to Watch.

During his presidency with N-SSBA, John oversaw the successful transition of the Executive Directorship and led the organization during the start of the pandemic.

Now retired and residing in Holden, MA, John and Donna, his wife of 42 years, are enjoying spending quality time with their grandson Eli, and awaiting the arrival of their second grandchild, Luca Donato. John and Donna have 3 children, John, Robert and Amanda.

Congratulations John and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Outstanding School Board

Service Award

Christine Biernacki - Huntington

Christine Biernacki has served the Huntington School Board for the last 9 years. During her tenure she has also served as vice-president and president and has been a mentor to other members of the Huntington Board of Education. Christine brings her extensive knowledge of special education as valuable insight to the governance team. She is also looked upon for guidance and advice on policy issues.

Congratulations Christine and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Outstanding School Board

Service Award

Eileen Felix - Brentwood

Eileen Felix was first elected to the Brentwood School Board in 2015 and according to the Superintendent, as the board's current president, "Ms. Felix exemplifies exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to advancing education within the Brentwood community." During her tenure she spearheaded the development of impactful district-wide initiatives, including a comprehensive attendance initiative. She is committed to making sure Brentwood's students are prepared for college and career opportunities and has helped foster partnerships with colleges, universities, and local businesses.

Congratulations Eileen and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Outstanding School Board

Service Award

James Reddan

New Hyde Park - Garden City Park

James Reddan has served the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School Board for the last ten years. He has served as a trustee, vice-president, president, and has also served on the Sewanhaka Central High School District Board as their president.

One of Mr. Reddan's most commendable attributes is his unwavering dedication to the responsibilities of his position. Mr. Reddan is a staunch advocate for his district as evidenced by his successful advocacy for the removal of using district facilities as polling locations during local and general elections.

Congratulations James and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Outstanding School Board

Service Award

Milagros Vicente - Valley Stream #13

Milagros Vicente was first elected to the Valley Stream #13 School Board in 2016. Prior to that, she was a committed member of the Valley Stream PTA and is a recipient of the PTA's Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Vicente is a passionate advocate for protecting children with special needs as the mother of a child with cerebral palsy. She also serves on the Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education.

Her advocacy work has also been recognized by Nassau County with an Advocate Citation Award. Her leadership and commitment has also benefited other community organizations such as the Advisory Board to the Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs, and serves as its president. She is also the co-founder of the Valley Stream Latino Society, and a member of the Police Commissioner's Community Council just to name a few.

Congratulations Milagros, and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Outstanding School Board

Service Award

Dominick Vulpis - East Rockaway

Dominick Vulpis has served the East Rockaway School Board for the last six years. Mr. Vulpis has been a longtime educator for over 39 years in addition to his service on the Board of Education.

His wisdom and collaborative spirit has brought forth many positive opportunities for the students and staff. Some of his accomplishments include the hiring of executive leadership whose vision aligns with the district's mission and strategic plan, support for social emotional initiatives, combined athletic teams with neighboring districts to offer more opportunities for student athletes, capital improvements to facilities and technology throughout the district, including the development of a state of the art athletic complex. Under his leadership the district has seen a steady increase in it's graduation rate.

Congratulations Dominick and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Dedicated School Board

Service Award

Jay Lippert - Fire Island

Jay Lippert was first elected to the Fire Island School Board in 1998. Mr. Lippert has been the president of the Fire Island School Board since 2008.

Mr. Lippert has been a fair, trustworthy, and thoughtful mentor during his tenure on the board. Mr. Lippert is also the Chief Ranger at the Fire Island National Seashore and his years of experience in that role has proven to be an asset to the Fire Island school community.

Congratulations Jay, and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Dedicated School Board

Service Award

James Moran- Levittown

James Moran was first elected to the Levittown School Board in 1999. Mr. Moran has seen many improvements and changes to the district during his tenure including the implementation of full day kindergarten, transition from an 8 to 9 period day at the secondary level, the creation of the outdoor learning center, and the implementation of a 1:1 Chromebook initiative just to name a few. He is one of the longest serving board members in Levittown School District history.

Congratulations James, and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Dedicated School Board

Service Award

Lawrence F. Zaino, Jr.- Carle Place

Lawrence F. Zaino, Jr. was first elected to the Carle Place School Board in 2000. Mr. Zaino loves the opportunity to work with students, parents, and staff toward a common goal of challenging students to be great.

He has served as president, was a planning team member of various infrastructure projects and helped lead the district in the expansions of the elementary school library, high school multi-purpose room and outdoor sports turf field installations.

In addition to his board service, he is active in his local civic association, water district, and senior organization. Larry is a leader who embodies the Carle Place motto, "Compassion & Passion."

Congratulations Larry, and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!

Champion for Long Island

Education Award

Joseph C. Dragone

Mr. Dragone has served as an Assistant Superintendent of Business in several districts throughout his career. They include the following school districts; Amityville, Manhasset and Roslyn. He also held administrative positions in Connetquot, Rockville Centre, Harborfields and East Rockaway, and was a professor for graduate programs in educational administration at Queens College.

Throughout his career, Mr. Dragone has been affiliated with a number of school business organizations. He was previously the vice president of the Nassau Chapter and the treasurer of the Suffolk Chapter. Additionally, Mr. Dragone served as the president of the NYS Association of School Personnel Administrators. His successes in his positions has led to a number of honors and awards.

Mr. Dragone is still serving schools on Long Island most recently by working with a group through the Long Island Education Coalition (LIEC) to spearhead efforts on how best to reform the Foundation Aid formula.

Joe retired after being in education for 54 years as a teacher, director of special education, building principal, and assistant superintendent for business, and is now an adjunct professor at Hofstra University. He also continues to mentor new business officials as well.

He resides in Northport with his wife Liz and they have 4 children and six grandsons.

Congratulations Joe, and thank you for your service to public education on Long Island!