Read the story and see how an 18 year old student from Long Island did just that.

LONG ISLAND, NY — In a dramatic and historic statement by voters, an 18-year-old high school senior was elected to the Syosset School District’s Board of Education Tuesday night.

Calling himself “A fresh voice for the 21st century,” teenager Joshua Lafazanearned a seat on the board, joining Christopher DiFilippo and Alan Resnick. Lafazan won with a remarkable tally of 4,739 ballots or 82 percent of the vote. DiFilippo garnered the second-most votes with 2,531, followed by Resnick (2,474).

“This is not just a victory for Josh Lafazan,” Lafazan said. “This is a victory for all the citizens of Syosset who have shown that in this world — with dedication, organization and enthusiasm — anything is possible.”

Lafazan is widely believed to be the youngest school board member in the state.

Lafazan plans to attend Nassau Community College in the fall and is the founder of SafeRideSyosset.org. His father created a stir on the eve of the election when the district claimed he left the district office with absentee voter data without authorization. The Lafazans said the documents have since been turned in to the Nassau County Police’s Second Precinct.

The district issued an alert on its website Monday and robo-called residents with the news, a tactic the Lafazans dismissed as a “smear” campaign by the administration.

Apparently, voters agreed.

“It feels great, it really does,” Lafazan said. “I’m in a debt of gratitude forever to the voters of Syosset.”

The following article was posted in The Peekskill Patch:

http://peekskill.patch.com/

A planned technology upgrade in Peekskill schools will focus primarily on Peekskill High School and the new alternative education program under a scaled-back version unveiled last week.

Janice E. Reid, manager of educational technology, told the Board of Education May 1 that the smaller plan, excluding alternative education, will cost an estimated $567,650, down from the original $1,034,100. The 21^st Century Learning Center, as the alternative education program is known, will cost an estimated $71,452, down from the original $89,502.

While the smaller plan includes some work throughout the district, the bulk of the upgrading is focused on the high school because of the need there, Reid explained. The networking equipment is outdated, connectivity is slow and the computers range in age from 1 to 11 years old. The planned upgrades include desktop replacement of 285 PCs and 25 Macs, installation of interactive whiteboards and projectors and installation of copper cable.

Plans for the alternative education program include three laptops to support teachers, two carts with 20 laptops each, a shared printer, two interactive whiteboards and projectors, a file server and installation of copper cable.

Superintendent of Schools James Willis noted that the technology upgrades qualify for e-rate state aid of 80 percent.

In a related matter the district plans to spend an estimated $60,000 for implementation of the 21^st Century Learning Center, including online customized learning plans, distance learning opportunities and professional development for its teachers.

Discussions are currently underway to house the 21st Century Learning Center in two classroom in the high  school which are currently used as computer labs.