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Oyster Bay-East Norwich

Empowering All Students to Achieve Excellence

May 7, 2025

OBEN Board recognizes twelve staff members with tenure at May meeting

Board members giving presentation at podium.

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Board of Education honored twelve teachers and administrators with tenure at its May 5 meeting, held in the auditorium at Oyster Bay Middle/High School. Families, friends and fellow OBEN staff turned out in strong numbers to celebrate the recipients.

Superintendent Dr. Ianni opened the meeting by expressing deep gratitude to the district's teaching staff in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week. He also took a moment to wish OBMHS junior Chrysta Thomas well as she travels to Arizona this week to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a historic first for an Oyster Bay student.

District administrators then came to the stage to introduce and present tenure to members of their departments. Recipients included Nicole Bifulco, elementary teacher at Vernon; Alexander Dollin, broadcasting and journalism teacher at OBMHS; Arianna Esposito, health and physical education teacher at OBMHS; Ronni Lubin, special education teacher at Theodore Roosevelt; Kayla Pollenz, counseling and guidance staff member at OBMHS; Anna Thomas, mathematics teacher at OBMHS; Megan Wagenhauser Feeney, elementary teacher at Theodore Roosevelt; and Danielle Yuengling, special education teacher at Vernon.

Dr. Ianni then awarded tenure to four administrators: Jaclyn Gibbons, Director of Technology and Data; Erica Giglio Pac, Director of Fine, Performing and Media Arts; Robert Locastro, Assistant Principal at OBMHS; and Devra Small, Principal of Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School.

In New York State, teachers generally earn tenure after four years and one day of consecutive service. Tenured educators are considered permanent rather than probationary employees and are protected against arbitrary dismissal, which is a safeguard designed to allow teachers to advocate for students without fear of reprisal and ensure that employment decisions are based on merit.

Oyster Bay-East Norwich congratulates all twelve honorees and looks forward to many more years with them as valued members of the OBEN team.

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