The Suffolk County Organization for the Promotion of Education has named two representatives from the Islip School District as recipients of the 2014 SCOPE Awards of Educational Excellence. These two members of the Islip school community were among a group of educators, support staff and volunteers from throughout Suffolk County who were honored at the SCOPE Educational
 Excellence Awards ceremony at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook on March 26.
    
Islip resident, parent and retired Board of Education member Laura Paehr was recognized for her community service. “The Islip community is privileged to have a star such as Laura Paehr,” said Superintendent of Schools Susan A. Schnebel. “Her commitment to the students, staff and parents, and her sense of volunteerism are unquestionable. As a PTA leader, both locally and regionally, former Board of Education trustee and friend to all, Mrs. Paehr continues to place her community in the highest regard, and the feeling is mutual.”

James Prudente, network systems administrator for the Islip School District, was honored for outstanding administrator service. Mr. Prudente has been instrumental in developing and implementing the infrastructure to maintain all aspects of the Islip Union Free School District. Under his guidance, Islip has redesigned and renovated the IT area and infrastructure to provide ample bandwidth and server capacity to handle the district’s needs well into the future. “Mr. Prudente’s leadership is invaluable,” remarked Mrs. Schnebel. “His strong work ethic, knowledge and dedication to the students, staff and community qualify him as a star.”