Messages from the Superintendent

News12 Story Correction

Clarification Regarding News12 Report on District Budget

Dear Hicksville School Community,

I am writing to address a News12 story that aired following last night’s Board of Education meeting regarding the adopted school district budget. Unfortunately, the report included inaccurate information about staffing and has caused understandable concern in our community.  In addition, News12 attempted to correct the story this morning, and the updated version still contains inaccurate information.   

To be clear, the district is not excessing 47 staff members. As previously communicated during our budget workshops and presentations, the proposed budget includes a reduction of 6.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.  Any teacher assistant or special education aide position reductions are not budget-based, but based on our special education continuum and Individual Education Programs for Special Education students (IEPs), as determined by Committees of Special Education (CSEs).

Staffing changes have been carefully considered and are part of our ongoing efforts to responsibly align resources with enrollment, program needs, and long-term financial sustainability. There are further reductions to overall staffing through attrition, meaning not all retiring staff will be replaced.

Details of the proposed budget, including staffing adjustments, were presented publicly at last night’s Board meeting and are available on the district’s website for review.  In addition, our meetings are recorded for community members to view. We remain committed to transparency throughout the budget process to ensure our community has accurate, timely information.

We have reached out to the media outlet to request a correction and will continue to monitor the situation closely.  We understand that reports like this can cause concern, particularly when they involve our staff and programs. Please know that we remain focused on maintaining the high-quality educational experience our students deserve while being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Sincerely,
Dr. Theodore Fulton
Superintendent of Schools

School Closure Notice – Tuesday, February 24

Dear Hicksville Families and Staff,

Due to blizzard conditions and in the interest of safety for our students, staff, and families, Hicksville Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, February 24.

Please note the following:

• School Closures: All district buildings will be closed.
• Activities: SCOPE, all after-school activities, athletic practices, and evening events are cancelled.

District officials will continue to monitor weather conditions and will provide updates through our website and social media channels as needed.

Please stay safe and warm during the storm.

SNOW DAY FOR HICKSVILLE SCHOOLS!

Dear Hicksville Families and Staff,

Due to inclement weather and for the safety of our students and staff, all Hicksville Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, February 23rd.

Please note the following:

• School Closures: All buildings are closed.
• Activities: SCOPE, all after-school activities, sports practices, and evening programs are cancelled.

We will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates via email, our website and social media channels if necessary. Stay warm and travel safely.

New E-Bike & E-Scooter Ban on School Property

Dear Hicksville Families,

In our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all students and staff, the Hicksville Board of Education has recently amended Policy 3410 regarding prohibited conduct on school grounds.

Effective January 21, 2026, the possession, storage, or operation of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other motorized micro-mobility devices is prohibited on all school property. This includes parking lots, walkways, athletic fields, and district fence lines.

Why this change? Following recent accidents involving motorized devices in our community, the District has reviewed its safety protocols. E-bikes and motorized scooters travel at speeds that pose a significant risk to pedestrians in crowded school zones. Furthermore, per Nassau County law, individuals under the age of 16 are not permitted to operate these motorized devices. 

What this means for your student: Students are not permitted to ride e-bikes or e-scooters to school. Please note the following:

• No Campus Access: These devices are not allowed on school property at any time. This includes a prohibition against locking devices to district property fence lines.
• No Storage: The District is unable to store or secure these vehicles. There are no public or district-provided racks for motorized devices.
• Enforcement: Please be advised that the NCPD could confiscate any such devices found on school property in violation of this policy.
• Consequences: Students who violate this policy are in violation of the District Code of Conduct and may face disciplinary action. 

We thank you for your partnership in keeping Hicksville schools a safe place.

Revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Does this apply to regular bicycles? A: No. Traditional, non-motorized bicycles are still permitted and can be secured at the school bike racks as usual.
• Q: Can a student park their e-bike in the school parking lot or lock it to a perimeter fence? A: No. Policy 3410 explicitly prohibits these devices on all school property. This includes parking lots, walkways, and district fence lines.
• Q: Why can't the school just provide a safe place to store them? A: Due to the size of these devices and the fire safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, the District is unable to provide secure storage on school property. 
• Q: What happens if a student brings an e-bike to school after January 21st? A: The student will be required to immediately remove the vehicle from school grounds, and parents will be contacted to pick up the vehicle immediately. The student will not be permitted to enter class or participate in activities until they comply. Be aware that the NCPD could confiscate devices left on school property.

SNOW DAY FOR HICKSVILLE SCHOOLS!

Dear Hicksville Families and Staff,

Due to inclement weather and for the safety of our students and staff, all Hicksville Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26th.

Please note the following:

• School Closures: All buildings are closed.
• Activities: SCOPE, all after-school activities, sports practices, and evening programs are cancelled.

We will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates via our website and social media channels if necessary. Stay warm and travel safely.

Dear Hicksville School Community,

I am writing to inform you of a serious accident that occurred earlier today involving one of our contracted buses via Educational Bus Transportation (EBT) and a motorcyclist.

We are grateful to report that no students on the bus were injured. All students were safely cared for following the incident, and families of those directly involved have been contacted.

Tragically, the motorcyclist lost their life as a result of the accident. On behalf of the entire school district, I extend our deepest condolences to the individual’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

The accident remains under active investigation by local law enforcement, and the district is fully cooperating with authorities to determine the cause.

Events like this deeply affect our entire community. Counseling and support resources will be made available at our schools for any students or staff who may need them in the coming days.

We appreciate your understanding, compassion and patience as we navigate this difficult situation together. Additional information will be shared as appropriate and when it becomes available.

Sincerely,
Dr. Theodore Fulton
Superintendent of Schools

A Holiday Message from the Superintendent

Dear Families, Staff, and Students,

As we celebrate the holiday season, I want to thank our students, staff, families, and community for making Hicksville Public Schools such a special place.

This year’s holiday card artwork was created by Hunter Johnson, an 8th-grade student at Hicksville Middle School, under the guidance of Ms. Kolinsky, and animated by students in the Hicksville High School Video Production, Technology, and Graphic Design classes. Their creativity reflects the talent and pride found throughout our schools.

2025 Hicksville Public Schools Animated Holiday Card

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.

Yours in Comet Pride,
Theodore Fulton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Hicksville Community,

Hicksville Public Schools is pleased to share the Blueprint for Excellence, our Strategic Plan for 2025–2028. Developed through meaningful community feedback and collaborative leadership, this plan reflects our shared commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening family and community partnerships, supporting staff, and ensuring safe and modern learning environments for all students.

The Blueprint outlines focused priorities and action steps that will guide district growth over the next three years. We look forward to continuing this work together and will provide updates as implementation moves forward.

Strategic Plan

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support.

Sincerely,
Hicksville Public Schools

Community Letter_MS Incident 11.12.25

November 13, 2025

This is an important message regarding a recent incident involving a suspicious vehicle and students in our community. A Hicksville Middle School parent reported that on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at approximately 4:00 PM, two middle school students exited their late bus. As they were walking near Miller Road and Twin Lawn, a black Nissan with 3–4 passengers wearing grey sweatshirts followed the students. The vehicle then approached the students and asked if they “wanted some candy.”

The students were unharmed and continued safely home. This incident has been reported to the Nassau County Police Department, who are actively investigating. School administration and security teams have also been notified.

As a reminder, we encourage all parents to discuss safety precautions with your children when walking in the community. Please reiterate the importance of safety rules, such as never getting into a car with a stranger, and immediately reporting any stranger who approaches them.  Encourage them to be mindful of their surroundings and to maximize awareness by limiting the use of headphones, which might impair their ability to hear individuals approaching. Continue to emphasize that they should report anything they see to you and the building's administrative team.  We are taking this matter seriously and are in contact with the local police department to assist with their investigation. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and for helping to spread the word to friends and family.  As always, the health and safety of our students are our top priority.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Theodore Fulton
Superintendent of Schools

District-Wide Notice Internet Enabled Device Policy

Dear Hicksville Families,

I hope you're enjoying the final weeks of summer with family and friends before the start of a new school year. As we gear up for the 2025–2026 school year, I’d like to share an important update regarding a new statewide law that will affect students across New York, including Hicksville.

Recently, Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature enacted Education Law §2803, also known as the “Distraction-Free Schools” law. This new law prohibits students in grades K–12 from using “personal internet-enabled devices”, such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and personal laptops, during the entire school day. This includes both instructional and non-instructional times such as homeroom, lunch, recess, study hall, and passage time between classes.

In response, our Board of Education has formally adopted an updated Acceptable Use Policy to meet the new legislative requirements and support our students in remaining focused, safe, and engaged throughout the day.  District-issued Chromebooks, iPads, and computers are not affected by this law and will continue to be used for instructional purposes.

What does this mean for Hicksville Students?

Beginning on the first day of school, students will be expected to follow a “Bell-to-Bell” policy, meaning no use of personal internet-enabled devices from the start to the end of the school day.  Here’s how this will look by grade level:

Elementary Schools (Grades K–5):
Students are to leave personal devices at home. If a student is seen using a device, it will be confiscated by the teacher and returned at the end of the school day.  If the device continues to come to school, it will be taken to the main office for storage and then picked up by parents/guardians.

Middle School (Grades 6–8):
Students are to leave personal devices at home.  If a student is seen using a device, they must store it in their locker for the entire school day. Devices may not be accessed during passing time or lunch.  Repeated offenses will result in the device being stored in the main office and then picked up by parents/guardians.

High School (Grades 9–12):
All personal internet-enabled devices must be powered off and secured in lockers from arrival until dismissal.  Devices may not be accessed during passing time or lunch.  Repeated offenses will result in the device being stored in the main office and then picked up by parents/guardians.

Supporting Communication

We know that staying connected during the day is important. Here are the ways families and students can stay in touch:

• To reach your child during the school day, please call the school’s main office, our staff will ensure that urgent messages are delivered.
• Students who need to contact a parent or guardian during the day may request to use a school phone in the main office.
• We are also working on securing email communication between secondary students and families via their school-issued email accounts.  Students will be able to email the addresses listed in PowerSchool for their guardians/parents.   More information will be shared as we move forward.

There are limited, state-approved exceptions to this policy, including:

• When authorized by a teacher or principal for a specific educational purpose
• When required as part of a student’s IEP or 504 Plan
• For translation purposes
• For caregiving students with verified responsibilities, as determined by the school principal. 
• When necessary for healthcare management (e.g.,diabetes monitoring apps)

Enforcement

Students who do not follow the new policy may have their devices confiscated and held in the main office for pick-up, per the guidelines in our district’s Acceptable Use Policy. Staff and faculty are responsible for helping ensure consistency and fairness in enforcement.

We understand this is a significant change for both students and families. Our goal is to foster a learning environment where every student can be present, focused, and free from unnecessary distractions. We  look forward to offering family workshops on managing technology use and supporting digital wellness at home.

As always, thank you for your ongoing partnership. Together, we will make this a successful and positive transition for our students.

Yours in Comet Pride,

Theodore Fulton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Hicksville Public Schools