Community summits win support for schools; New York: Bay Shore Union Free School District.

A broad school-community collaboration on Long Island, N.Y., resulted in Bay Shore Union Free School District being named the state's winner in the 2006 National Civic Star Award competition.

The collaboration has increased civic interest among students and others throughout the community and has resulted in a variety of school and community improvements.

When Superintendent Evelyn Blose Holman was appointed to head the district of 5,500 students in 1994, she was laced with recent teacher union strife, a deteriorating downtown and a poor public perception of the school system.

The board of education decided that school-community collaboration should be the top priority. Holman quickly assessed the situation and met with key residents. The group decided to hold a town meeting to communicate the status of fragmented projects in town and to let the community know how the schools were educating its young people.

The original committee included representatives from local real estate agencies, the local hospital, YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, senior citizens groups, the town government, Lion's Club, student government, Rotary Club and clergy. The school district was represented by the superintendent, a teacher, an administrator and the coordinator of school-community services.

The town meeting was held on Jan. 30, 1995, with the auditorium of Bay Shore High School filled with more than 1,200 citizens. Following a keynote speech by the county executive, residents attended two of three concurrent panel discussions. Materials from local civic and school organizations were featured in the school lobby, and a brochure was distributed to meeting attendees.

After this first summit, a number of action committees were formed under the auspices of the Summit Council, which, like the committees, meets monthly to address school and community concerns. The council consists of elected officials, business people, school staff members, organization leaders and students. In addition to their monthly meetings, the groups meet whenever necessary to carry out plans and projects.

The 11th summit was held April 14, 2005, with more than 2,000 attendees. The school district continues to serve as the facilitator to bring together the various constituencies and provides facilities, manpower and motivation. Expenses are minimal. The enthusiasm and support garnered has resulted in private donations and contributions that more than cover the expenses.

The district's leadership and its ability to inspire the community to believe in the public schools have helped achieve progress on several fronts:

* School budgets are passed on the first ballot.

* Teacher contracts are settled smoothly.

* Large numbers of students are transferring from local private schools to the public schools.

* SAT scores are above the national and state averages.

* Students are accepted at Ivy League colleges in record numbers.

* An $83.7 million bond for technology and expansion passed overwhelmingly.

* The high school music program was named one of the top 100 programs in the nation.

While much work remains to be done, the collaborative summit and efforts initiated by the schools are resulting in steady progress to improve the schools and community.

For more information, contact Superintendent Evelyn Blose Holman at Bay Shore Union Free School District. 75 W. Perkal St., Bay Shore. N.Y. 11706, or call [phone]. Holman's e-mail address is [e-mail].