Íæż½ã½ã

/ Íæż½ã½ã / Board of Ed.
Board of Education

 

Mr. Louis R. Bettinelli
President



Mr. Bettinelli is currently serving in his fifth term on the Board, now President through June 30, 2025. A lifelong resident of Íæż½ã½ã and a 1973 graduate from Íæż½ã½ã High School, Mr. Bettinelli graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, a United States Coast Guard license as Third Officer on U.S. merchant vessels, and a commission as Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. After graduating from Kings Point, Lou went to work as a Third and Second Officer on U.S. tankers trading on the waters of the East Coast of the United States, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean before becoming a Maritime Pilot, piloting ships for Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. on the Delaware Bay and River, New York Harbor, and Limetree Bay in St. Croix, USVI. He was president of Interport for over 28 years. He is still piloting tankers in Limetree Bay.

Lou is married to Donna (Gaine) Bettinelli for over 44 years. Donna is also a Íæż½ã½ã graduate who enjoyed a distinguished career as a Íæż½ã½ã science teacher and administrator. She recently retired as Director of Science for the Íæż½ã½ã School Íæż½ã½ã. Their daughter and son also graduated from Íæż½ã½ã in 2001 and 2003, respectively, and their two granddaughters will be graduating with the classes of 2033 and 2036!

Lou believes that the public education experience offered in the Íæż½ã½ã school system, in scholastics, the arts, and sports is unsurpassed by any school anywhere. He also knows that Íæż½ã½ã students benefit from the best and most dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff, and from the best facilities that provide for this experience.

Mr. Louis R. Bettinelli
Mr. Louis R. Bettinelli
Mrs. Susan Gargan
Vice President



Susan Gargan grew up in Íæż½ã½ã and attended Mary G. Clarkson, Gardiner Manor, the Íæż½ã½ã Junior High School and graduated from Íæż½ã½ã High School in 1986. She went on to attend SUNY Geneseo for two years and completed her degree in Special Education and Elementary Education at St. Joseph’s College. Susan received her Master’s Degree from Stony Brook University.  In addition, she holds two permanent Educational Administrative certifications. 

Susan and her husband Danny, have two daughters, Riley and Lily. Riley is currently a sophomore at Arizona State University and Lily is entering 12th grade at the High School.  Susan has volunteered for the district's Building Goals and Technology committees and actively supports our district’s Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA).

Susan’s love for education started when she was in high school. She would walk to and volunteer in classrooms at Fifth Avenue School where her mother worked as a classroom paraprofessional. During her junior and senior years in college, she completed her fieldwork at Mary G. Clarkson and Fifth Avenue School. In 1991, Susan was hired by Eastern Suffolk BOCES and recently retired after 33 years. She was a Special Education Teacher for 10 years and a building administrator for 23 years.

Susan is currently serving her fourth term as a Board Member and third time as Vice President. She is committed to continuing to work with the community to maintain and enhance the wonderful programs offered in the Íæż½ã½ã Schools. 

Mrs. Susan Gargan
Mrs. Susan Gargan
Mr. Andrew A. Arcuri
Board Trustee



Andrew is a life-long member of the community who graduated from Íæż½ã½ã High School in 1977.  He is a married father of four college graduates.  Himself a graduate of the State University system (SUNY Stony Brook, 1981), Mr. Arcuri went on to obtain his Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law.  Thereafter he successfully passed the New York and New Jersey Bar Exams, and obtained licenses to practice law in both New York and New Jersey. He continues to actively practice law in New York.

Mr. Arcuri is a partner in the general practice Deer Park law firm of Kelly, Luglio & Arcuri, LLP, where he spends most of his time as a trial lawyer in the various State and Federal Courts of New York from Suffolk County to Buffalo.  Andrew is very proud that the very attorneys he litigates against have unanimously voted him as having the highest possible legal ability and ethics; resulting in a perfect Martindale-Hubbell rating of 5 out of 5 (AV Preeminent Rating) in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards since 2000 (currently in his 25th consecutive year).  His perfect rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a world-renowned trusted legal resource, is in all 5 of their rated categories: Legal Knowledge, Analytical Capability, Judgment, Communication, & Legal Experience. He has also been voted by Pulse Magazine as one of the “Top Rated Legal Eagles in Nassau & Suffolk Counties”. As a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, he provided free legal services to families of those seeking compensation from the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.

Mr. Arcuri has been a member of the Board of Education since 2004. He is the 2023 recipient of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association Outstanding School Board Service Award; a 5-time recipient of the SCOPE award for Outstanding Board Service (2007, 2010 2013, 2016 & 2019); and the winner of the 2008 Suffolk County Schools Superintendent's Association award for his Commitment to Provide a Quality Education for All Students. He personifies the belief that we can all make a difference by sharing our gifts of time and experience for the good of others. Over the years "Coach Andy" has enjoyed volunteering countless hours as a soccer, baseball, and CYO basketball coach with the youth of our community, and he is always available to assist in any community function.  His hobbies include distance running (where he has demonstrated perseverance while successfully completing 69 marathons and raising nearly $100,000.00 for pediatric cancer research and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), carpentry, landscape design, and golf.

Mr. Andrew A. Arcuri
Mr. Andrew A. Arcuri
Ms. Jennifer Brownyard
Board Trustee



Mrs. Jennifer Brownyard is entering her fourth year on the Board of Education. Jennifer moved to Íæż½ã½ã in 2005 with her husband, Sean.  They have a twin son and daughter who are enrolled in Íæż½ã½ã High School, graduating class of 2025.  Originally from Lake Ronkonkoma, she graduated high school from Sachem North and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science from SUNY Geneseo in 1993.

After graduating from college, Jennifer went on to pursue a career in Sales and Marketing.  She worked in the advertising sales departments for various publications in Manhattan, mostly focused on the direct marketing arena.  After moving back to Long Island and having her children, she joined her family’s insurance company to run the marketing and client services department.  Over her 14-year tenure there, she has expanded her role to include the management of the database system that is used company-wide, across all departments.

Inspired by the spirit of community which makes Íæż½ã½ã the special hamlet that it is today, Jennifer has devoted much of her spare time to volunteering in various youth-focused groups.  She has been on the cabinet of the PFA at both South Country and Íæż½ã½ã Middle School.  She is an avid supporter of cultural arts, having previously held the position of President of the Music Sponsors of Íæż½ã½ã.  She is involved with various community outreach programs through the Youth Ministry at St. Patrick’s Church.  Through her work with these organizations as well as volunteering with the Suffolk County Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, she has helped fundraise to support the children, the schools and the community.  

Ms. Jennifer Brownyard
Ms. Jennifer Brownyard
Mr. Guy Leggio
Board Trustee



Mr. Leggio is a third generation Leggio residing in Íæż½ã½ã and a 1981 graduate of Íæż½ã½ã High School.  He has worked in professional masonry for the past 39 years and is a member of the Local One Bricklayer’s Union.  He is a United States Navy veteran who was a member of the multi-national peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon (1983-84).

Guy has been a volunteer in the Íæż½ã½ã Fire Department for 40 years and served as Captain and trustee. He has been an American Legion Member for 20 years and is a member of the Íæż½ã½ã Athletic Sponsors and Alumni Association.  Guy is currently the Treasurer of the Islip Town School Boards Association, participates in the Íæż½ã½ã Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Islip Town Youth Board since 2015.  Mr. Leggio generously donated a three–car garage for the High School Field and was instrumental in the creation of the Middle School’s 9/11 Memorial Garden. In June 2022 the Íæż½ã½ã named the Universal Pre-K Cafetorium the Guy Leggio Cafetorium in honor of his contributions both in securing the UPK site and his dedication and vision in bringing the project to fruition. 

His awards include the SCOPE award for his outstanding Board service in 2011, 2014 and 2018, the 1986 Lifetime PTA Jenkins Award. Guy also received the highest New York State School Board Association award, the Everett R. Dyer Award for Outstanding Board Service in 2023. Guy received the WVI Dolphin Foundation's 2021 Spirit of Youth Sports Special Achievement Award, which honors individuals who use sports to improve our communities and the Robert F. Smith Man of the Year Award from the Íæż½ã½ã Athletic Sponsors in 2013.

Mr. Leggio is the founder of East Islip Kid Wrestling and has received numerous awards for his leadership and participation in wrestling over the past 30 years. In 2012, he was named PAL Man of the Year and in 2013-2014 the National Wrestling Coach of the Year for New York State.  He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013.  In 2015, Mr. Leggio received the National Wrestling Coach Award for New York State.  East Islip School, where he coached for 26 years, named their wrestling room after him In January 2016.  Guy now volunteers as an Assistant Wrestling Coach in Íæż½ã½ã.  In 2019, he was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame.

Guy has been married to his wife Maryann for 34 years, his son Jimmy received his Master’s Degree in Special Education from St. Joseph’s College.  His son Christopher is currently attending Suffolk Community College and his daughter Megan is attending Stony Brook University. 

Mr. Guy Leggio
Mr. Guy Leggio