Bresnihan takes helm of Lynbrook Board of Ed

For nearly four decades Alicemarie Bresnihan has served on Lynbrook’s Board of Education in many different capacities. At its reorganization meeting in July, her fellow board members elected Bresnihan to take over as president for the 2013-14 school year.

It’s a position that Bresnihan has held several times before as she prepares for her 39th year on the board when schools open in September. She said she never planned on being a board member for this long; it just happened.

“I still feel that I have something to contribute,” she said. “I’m enthused about seeing programs develop and seeing our youngsters grow up, go through the system and be successful.”

She is the mother of nine children, each of who were educated at West Elementary School, the current North Middle School and Lynbrook High School. The first of her kids graduated in 1973 while the youngest completed grade school in 1987. She had at least one child in the district for 27 consecutive years.

While her kids got her involved in the school community years ago, she is still active because of her desire to help children. During her time on the board, Bresnihan said she and her other members have always gotten along in their efforts to educate students.

She said one of the biggest obstacles the board is facing today is the tax levy cap, which limits the amount a school district can raise through property taxes. It’s her goal to maintain all academic programs and stay within the confines of the cap, she said.

As board president, she will have an expanded role in planning meetings with Superintendent Dr. Melissa Burak. Bresnihan said she has known Burak, who is entering her 21st year in the district, since Burak started as a teacher and the two have a great relationship.

Every year, Bresnihan said, there is something new happening in the district, which is a reason why she likes the position. “Being a board member is a privilege and it’s something that I have always enjoyed,” she said.