All photos courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Charles Lavine

HICKSVILLE, NEW YORK – With the new school year in full swing, three-quarters of a million dollars in state grants secured by Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-North Shore) is helping Hicksville Public Schools succeed beyond the classroom. A $500,000 grant announced last year has resulted in multiple projects for the district, including a digital sign in front of Hicksville High School. Lavine got a first-hand look at the sign during a visit to the school, where he met with Hicksville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Theodore Fulton. In addition, Lavine secured a separate grant for an additional $250,000, which covered the cost of reconstructing an unused walkway at Old Country Road Elementary School. The walkway provides access from an adjacent street to a side entrance of the school. According to school principal Laura McConnell, it had been in such a state of disrepair that it was not considered safe. Now that it has been redone, parents have a secondary option to drop off their kids, enabling smoother traffic flow at building entrances.

Lavine said: “Supporting public education is something I take great pride in, and seeing how grants that I secured are being utilized to make the educational experience better for students and parents is very satisfying.”

Fulton said: “On behalf of our Board of Education and the community, we are thankful for Assemblymember Lavine’s efforts as he continues to advocate and support the needs of our students.”