Uniondale School District Board of Education Swears In Leadership for 2026–2027 School Year

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK—The Uniondale School District welcomed the 2026–2027 school year as its Board of Education leadership was sworn in. Dr. Mary Bediako and Yvette Janniere, who both won the May Board of Education election, took their oaths, administered by Uniondale School District alumna Judge Darlene Harris. Dr. Bediako was also re-elected as the Board of Education president, and Adelina Blanco-Harvey was re-elected as vice president.

In addition, Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil was sworn in as superintendent for the new school year, as was Sandra Edwards in her role as district clerk. Major Anthony Telesca and Lenore Pringle were appointed as temporary district treasurer and deputy district treasurer, respectively.

The Uniondale School District Board of Education also welcomed its ex-officio student member for the 2026–2027 school year: Uniondale High School rising senior Randdy Acosta. Per New York State law, an ex-officio student member is a non-voting board of education member who represents the student population and serves as a valuable resource for the board. They are entitled to sit with board members at all public meetings and hearings and may be permitted to participate in other board activities and responsibilities at the discretion of the board. They do not participate in votes nor executive sessions, meetings, and hearings not open to the public.

“Thank you to the Board of Education and our administration for providing me with the opportunity to be a student board member,” Randdy Acosta said. “I am able to represent my peers, my building, and the schools throughout our District while working alongside adults that care about the community as much as I do. This means a great deal to me.”

Randdy has excelled in his academics and extracurriculars at Uniondale High School. He is an AP Scholar who has already completed eight AP courses during his time at Uniondale High School and plans to take more his senior year. He is a participant in the Hofstra Uniondale Pathway Program, engaging in college-level learning, and attends a weekly engineering program. Randdy is also a dedicated member of the band and jazz band and is serving as a counselor in the District’s summer music program for the third consecutive year.

“I have had the privilege of interacting with Randdy as a student and had the opportunity to sit in on one of his fantastic seminar presentations,” Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil said. “He has a remarkably creative mind and is respectful and thoughtful. He has a number of ideas about how he can best support our student body, and we look forward to working closely with him this year. We are proud to congratulate Randdy and welcome him to this new role.”

For more information about the Uniondale School District, please visit the District’s website at https://district.uniondaleschools.org and “like” the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/uniondalek12.