Week in Review: Barrett Controversy Continues, Bullying Petition

School Board Pres: "Enough, Kings Park" Over Barrett Fundraiser Controversy

Kings Park Board of Education's latest efforts to resolve ethical questions raised by a community fundraiser for trustee Liz Barrett dissolved into a yelling contest in front of students and parents on Tuesday night. 

"Enough. This is had gone on far too long. Our students do not deserve this embarrassment," said Marie Goldstein, president of Kings Park Board of Education. 

Petition Calls for Increased Bullying Awareness in Kings Park Schools

An online petition is hoping to catch the attention of Kings Park school district administrators and focus it on bullying within local schools. 

A Change.org petition titled "Kings Park School Administration: Have more awareness on Bullying/ Anti-Bullying Assemblies" is quickly gaining attention and signatures from Kings Park residents and the surrounding communities. 

Kings Park Board of Ed Looks to Take Stand on High-Stakes Testing

Kings Park Board of Education is willing to consider joining a growing number of school districts in making a public statement against "high-stakes testing" and other educational mandates under the state's new Common Core curriculum. 

Trustee Diane Nally asked the board of education to draft a resolution that would express the district's concerns and stance against high-stakes testing at Tuesday night's meeting. 

Paving of Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail Extension Moves Forward

The Kings Park Hike & Bike extension should be getting the gift of new concrete this year as work to pave the extension to Main Street moves forward. 

David Flynn, Smithtown's assistant planning director, said depending on the weather, five inches of concrete could be laid down later this month to extend the existing 1.5-mile bike trail. 

Billy Joel to Play Madison Square Garden Monthly

Oyster Bay's own Billy Joel has agreed to perform monthly at Madison Square Garden so long as there is a demand, MSG announced Tuesday. 

The legendary musical icon announced recently that he would play the Garden in January. Three additional shows, one each month through April, are already sold out and a May show is planned.