7 Biggest Smithtown School Stories of 2013

Smithtown Central School District is a core of the local community and the heated debates over issues within the schools stole the spotlight in 2013. 

Controversial debate has raged on over the new federal Common Core curriculum and the state's implementation of it, high-stakes testing and sharing of student data for the better part of the year. 

The sudden resignation of the district's former superintendent and word of cockroaches in elementary school classrooms also drew widespread attention. 

Here's an overview of the biggest and most impactful news out of Smithtown schools in 2013:  

Parents: Common Core is 'Hijacking Our Kids'
Smithtown parents tore apart the controversial Common Core curriculum and state assessments, blaming it for creating students fear and avoid schoolwork.

Smithtown School District Superintendent Abruptly Resigns
Smithtown School District Superintendent Anthony Annunziato announced his resignation at the board of education meeting in August, weeks before school year's start, and said he will be joining St. John's University as a professor.

Smithtown Schools Join Movement Against High-Stake Testing
Smithtown school district officials have officially joined part of a growing movement against high-stakes standardized testing on Long Island Tuesday night. 


Smithtown Schools Send Race to the Top Funds Back to State
Smithtown school officials have taken the stance that protecting their students's personal information is more important than $2,000 in federal Race to the Top funds. 

UPDATE: St. James Parents Close in on 600 Petition Signatures
St. James parents who are petitioning the Smithtown School District over a transition pattern that sends St. James students to middle school in Nesconset inched closer to their 600-signature goal Tuesday, just hours before they plan to speak out on the issue at this evening's board of education meeting.

Clerk: District Looks to Squash Cockroach Issue At Smithtown Elementary
Smithtown Elementary School has a cockroach issue, though according to District Clerk Maureen O'Connor, the district is doing all it can to expel the critters. 

Smithtown Board of Education Appoints Interim Superintendent
Smithtown Board of Education unanimously voted to appoint Judith Elias as interim superintendent of the Smithtown Central School District as of Sept. 16. 
Elias has previously served as the superintendent of Smithtown Central School District during the 2006-07 school year before taking leave to help take care of her ailing mother