Greenport School District

Greenport school board expected to appoint track coaches

JENNIFER GUSTAVSON FILE PHOTO | Greenport School District athletic director Jim Caliendo, right, and high school principal Leonard Skuggevik at an August public forum discussing the school’s new track program.
JENNIFER GUSTAVSON FILE PHOTO | Greenport School District athletic director Jim Caliendo, right, and high school principal Leonard Skuggevik at an August public forum discussing the school’s new track program.

The Greenport school board is expected to appoint three track coaches at Wednesday night’s regular meeting, according to the agenda.

Superintendent Michael Comanda has made the following coach recommendations for the current school year:

• Maria Troise, boys varsity track

• Michael Gunther, girls varsity track

• Pamela Foote, junior high school boys and girls track

Over the summer, local parents started a fundraising campaign to get the school’s track ready for competitions by soliciting volunteers and donations.

For the past two years, Greenport track players have practiced in Mattituck, although the districts maintained separate track teams. Greenport school officials have said that since an agreement with Mattituck ended at the end of last school year, there was no time to plan and budget for reconstructing their own school’s track.

Since then the Southold School District, which didn’t have a track team, agreed to join Greenport in its efforts and the neighboring districts created a combined track team for this school year. Although the cinder track won’t be ready for home meets, players will be able to practice there and compete in away meets during the spring season, which starts in March.

In addition to donations, state Senator Ken LaValle secured additional aide for the districts’ joint-project last fall.

The school board is also expected to accept a $2,500 donation from Suffolk County National Bank for the track program.

Athletic director Jim Caliendo said construction remains on schedule and he’s excited for the season to begin. He also said he’s proud of the grassroots effort, which was done by residents, local business owners and the district’s maintenance workers.

“We’re good to go,” Mr. Caliendo said. “I’m very happy. The community has been outstanding.”

Scroll down to view the complete agenda. Check back for an update.

Greenport school board meeting agenda, Jan. 15, 2014.