WWW.MTSINAI.K12.NY.US MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT BALANCING TRADITION WITH WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION ON LONG ISLAND’S NORTH SHORE
MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRIC BALANCING TRAD WORKFORCE TRA ON LONG ISLAND AT A GLANCE MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHAT: A National Blue-Ribbon K-12 public school district serving approximately 2,000 students across three schools on a 65-acre campus WHERE: Mount Sinai, Suffolk County, New York WEBSITE: www.mtsinai.k12.ny.us HOW A NATIONAL BLUE-RIBBON DISTRICT IS RESHAPING EDUC PREPARE STUDENTS FOR JOBS THAT DIDN’T EXIST A DECADE A 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
CT DITION WITH ANSFORMATION D’S NORTH SHORE CATION TO AGO. On Long Island’s North Shore, the Mount Sinai School District serves approximately 2,000 students across a three-school compact 65acre campus. Since earning recognition as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School, the district has balanced its reputation for academic excellence with an urgent need to prepare students for an economy that looks nothing like the one their parents entered. Dr. Christine Criscione arrived as superintendent in 2023 to lead that transformation. 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
“When I came to Mount Sinai, it was immediately clear that our district had strong traditions and a real need to accelerate into the future,” Dr. Criscione says.“My focus has been on building on that legacy while positioning our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.” The district’s strategic plan, Mustang Pride Building our Future 2030, was born from extensive collaboration with staff, families, and community members who identified five priorities: teaching and learning, wellness, finance and operations, student experience, and parent and student engagement. Dr. Criscione frames the district’s direction with measured precision. “Everything we do is about aligning our work to do what people told us matters most.”The approach aligns with the economic reality of Mount Sinai itself, a predominantly residential hamlet of nearly 12,000 people with a median household income of $170,188 and minimal commercial development. Without major employers in the immediate area, the district looks outward to prepare graduates for regional job markets while maintaining the close community ties that define the area. THE MUSTANG PRIDE CULTURE The district’s identity goes beyond test scores and graduation rates into something harder to quantify but easier to observe.“Mustang Pride is really about our community being the heart of everything we do,” Dr. Criscione explains. “Students are engaged in service, whether it’s local partnerships, districtwide Mustang Pride events, or simply the way older students mentor younger ones.”At the middle school level, this translates into the Mustang Manners program, which Christopher Elsesser, middle school principal, oversees as part of the broader cultural framework. Community voice shapes major decisions in ways that produce tangible outcomes.The district recently passed a bond referendum focused on safety, security, athletics, and learning environments.“It wasn’t just about the facilities,” Dr. Criscione says. “It’s really about families coming together to invest in our kids. I see that as a powerful statement of confidence in our future.”The September 2025 vote confirmed how a residential community with limited commercial tax base can prioritize education spending when given clear information about needs and benefits. The emphasis on stakeholder input isn’t merely procedural. Dr. Criscione notes that the strategic plan came from what “people told us matters most,” a process that required synthesizing sometimes competing priorities across different constituencies. In a district where the student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 allows for closer relationships than many Long Island schools, that collaborative approach reinforces 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
the small-community atmosphere. The result is a culture where institutional decisions accommodate collective values rather than top-down mandates, particularly important in a hamlet where 98% of residents are U.S. citizens and families tend to stay long-term. PREPARING STUDENTS FOR TOMORROW’S WORKPLACE The shift from college-as-default to career-informed education marks a significant pivot in how Mount Sinai approaches student preparation. “We always have college nights. That has always been the standard, but now we are looking at adding in career opportunities for students to get a sense of the different careers out there,” Dr. Criscione says. The district is planning career evenings that expose students to employment pathways that do not necessarily require four-year degrees, acknowledging an economic reality that many families already understand. 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
SUPPORTING RESILIENT SCHOOLS ENSURING SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH STRATEGIC RESTORATION PARTNERSHIPS In today’s educational landscape, school districts face a growing mandate to ensure safe, uninterrupted learning environments — even in the face of unexpected disruptions. Weather events, facility system failures, environmental concerns, and emergency incidents can challenge the stability of school operations and threaten the continuity of student learning. As these risks evolve, so too, must the strategies and partnerships school leaders rely upon to protect educational spaces. BELFOR, a global leader in property restoration and disaster recovery, has become a trusted resource to K-12 school systems seeking rapid response, technical expertise, and long-term facility resilience. With a nationwide footprint and specialized teams experienced in educational environments, the company brings capability and readiness to situations where time, safety, and community confidence are paramount. School facilities today serve as more than academic centers, they are community hubs, emergency shelters, and vital public infrastructure. When a disruption occurs, swift intervention is essential not only to restore buildings, but to preserve instructional continuity, support staff and student well-being, and maintain public trust. From fire and water damage remediation to environmental services, air-quality stabilization, technology and document recovery, and large-scale emergency mobilization, BELFOR offers comprehensive solutions aligned with the needs of modern school systems. Equally important is a proactive approach to readiness. Effective facility resilience now includes emergency planning, staff preparedness, facility assessments, and partnerships that can activate on short notice. BELFOR’s engagement with school districts extends beyond crisis response to preparedness planning, helping leaders strengthen mitigation strategies, reduce risk exposure, and enhance the long-term health and usability of school environments. For boards of education, superintendents, business officials and facilities leaders, the priority remains clear: protect students, safeguard learning, and maintain operational stability. Collaborative planning and reliable emergency support are essential components of a resilient educational system. As schools continue navigating an era shaped by climate impacts, aging infrastructure, heightened safety expectations, and increasing community reliance on public facilities, the role of trusted restoration partners becomes more critical than ever. BELFOR remains committed to supporting school districts in preserving safe, healthy, and responsive learning environments — so educators can keep the focus where it belongs: on student success.
At the high school level, Principal Peter Pramataris has expanded this philosophy through course offerings that build practical skills alongside academic strength. Mount Sinai High School’s curriculum reflects a well-rounded program designed to prepare students for success with skills that extend beyond the classroom. In addition to Mount Sinai’s strong foundation in math, science, and the humanities, the business, computer science, technology, and fine and applied arts departments continue to revise and enhance offerings to meet the needs of an evolving society and workforce. Newer courses in Python programming, home improvement and construction systems, advanced culinary arts, and ceramics give students experience in fields aligned to industry trends. Participation in Virtual Enterprise International competitions offers authentic entrepreneurial learning experiences. These initiatives work in tandem with Mount Sinai’s ongoing partnership with Eastern Suffolk BOCES, where students gain access to accredited vocational programs that can lead directly to future employment. Pramataris notes that he is excited about the growth of these opportunities for students, particularly in light of the NYS Portrait of a Graduate initiative and revised graduation pathways. Partnerships with Eastern Suffolk BOCES remain a major asset, giving students access to specialized programs the district cannot offer independently. Students can pursue training in aviation, health industries, and other technical fields at BOCES facilities, gaining hands-on experience in equipmentintensive programs. “We do a lot of work with our local BOCES as far as sending kids based on their interests so they can have opportunities,” Dr. Criscione explains.“If we do not have them here in our district, they can certainly access those opportunities at BOCES, which are very specific.” The academic framework also includes expanded dual enrollment courses that allow students to earn college credits while still in high school. “We have dual enrollment classes for many of our courses at the high school, and we have been increasing our AP and dual credit classes with different colleges,” Dr. Criscione says. The expansion serves two purposes, reducing college costs for families and creating more schedule flexibility for students to explore career 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
pathways. While the district has not yet established formal co-op programs with local businesses, the foundation for such partnerships is being built through stronger relationships with community organizations that already support scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors. PREPARING FOR THE NEW ECONOMY Recent flexibility from the New York State Education Department opened doors that Mount Sinai moved quickly to enter. Dr. Peter Branscombe, deputy superintendent, describes the opportunity: “New York State Education Department allowed for some flexibility with certifying some of our teachers with additional computer science certifications. We’ve had numerous additional teachers take on that responsibility coming into this school year, and it just opens a number of different doors for us to go down that path, whether it’s with AI, whether it’s with coding.” The multi-teacher approach to computer science expands course offerings without major budget increases, a practical solution for a district spending $28,757 per student annually. “The more of our teachers we can get computer science certified, the better,” Dr. Branscombe says. “It’s only going to help us in the long run.” The certification push aligns with workforce trends across Suffolk County, where educational services and professional sectors employ significant portions of the population. Dr. Criscione frames the broader curricular evolution as addressing jobs that didn’t exist a decade ago and anticipating ones that will emerge.“We are looking at ways to restructure our middle school to align with the high school with some of the new pieces that we want: coding, financial literacy, computer science,” she says. Elsesser has already adjusted scheduling to accommodate more electives at the middle school level, creating room for students to explore technical subjects earlier. The district is also integrating civic readiness programs starting in middle school, recognizing that workforce preparation includes understanding how economic and political systems function.“It’s kind of like a multi-pronged approach,” Dr. Criscione adds, describing how changes at different grade levels compound to create more options by the time students reach their senior year. 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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Since its founding in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) has quietly become one of the most influential forces in the modern energy transition. What began as an energy efficiency-focused company has evolved into a full-service energy infrastructure partner, helping customers across government, utilities, healthcare, education, and industry modernize aging systems while moving decisively toward net-zero goals. Headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts,Ameresco now employs more than 1,500 professionals across North America and Europe, delivering local expertise with global reach. Ameresco’s impact is best illustrated through its milestone projects. On O‘ahu, the Kūpono Solar Project, developed in partnership with Hawaiian Electric, the U.S. Navy, and the local community, stands as the island’s largest solar and battery energy storage facility, strengthening grid resilience while delivering 42 MW of clean power. In the heart of London, Ameresco overcame engineering constraints at London Stadium by installing a flexible solar PV system on its membrane roof, generating enough electricity to power more than 250 homes annually. Meanwhile, Utah’s first floating solar array at the Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant and California’s Keller Canyon landfill gas-to-renewable natural gas facility demonstrate Ameresco’s ability to innovate across geographies and technologies. What truly sets Ameresco apart is its vendor-neutral, technology-agnostic approach. Rather than selling predetermined solutions, the company designs energy infrastructure tailored precisely to each customer’s needs. Its diverse portfolio spans solar, geothermal, battery energy storage systems, renewable natural gas, microgrids, and advanced efficiency upgrades, paired with flexible financial structures that many engineering or construction firms cannot offer.This model has made Ameresco a trusted long-term partner to the U.S. federal government and major institutions like Boston Children’s Hospital. Looking ahead, Ameresco is well positioned for the next phase of energy demand. The rapid growth of AI hyperscalers and data centers is placing unprecedented strain on power systems, and Ameresco is already responding with large-scale projects, including initiatives at NAS Lemoore and a 50 MW battery storage system for Nucor, North America’s largest steel producer. Beyond meeting today’s needs, the company is building infrastructure that bridges to future technologies, including nuclear, ensuring reliability and security in the decade ahead. In a world racing to balance sustainability, resilience, and explosive power demand, Ameresco stands out as a pragmatic innovator, one capable of delivering the energy infrastructure the future requires, today.
A GRADUATE’S VISION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSFORMATION Elsesser brings an unusual perspective to his role as middle school principal: he graduated from Mount Sinai and credits the district with shaping his career trajectory. “I am a graduate of this district. I’m very proud of that,” he says. “I think that I’ve achieved things at this point in my life because of my education here.” That personal investment informs how he approaches restructuring the middle school experience for current students. 11 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Having spent most of his career in high school education and administration, Elsesser saw firsthand what separates successful graduates from those who struggle. “I’ve seen what is successful, what skills and abilities are needed to be successful high school graduates,” he explains. The new elective wheel programs starting in grade five aim to build capacity for 21st-century workplaces while giving students earlier exposure to subjects that might spark genuine interest. “We’re trying to build the capacity of our learners 12 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
as they grow across, really starting in grade five, and really actually with the choice of classes too,” Elsesser says. The scheduling changes serve a specific purpose. “Giving them more opportunities in high school, to take more challenging courses, whether it’s one of the partnership courses with the colleges to be able to graduate with the most fulfilled experience possible for each of the students and their individual needs,” Elsesser says.The goal is efficiency: students shouldn’t waste time in high school discovering their interests when that exploration could happen earlier, allowing them to pursue those passions with greater depth before graduation. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Building relationships with external organizations has yielded concrete benefits, particularly in scholarship funding for graduating seniors. High School Principal Peter Pramataris has established strong partnerships with local organizations that have significantly increased the number of scholarship opportunities available to students. “He has established many relationships with our local organizations, and they provide scholarship opportunities that have grown greatly over the years on behalf of each of those organizations to our students,” Dr. Criscione explains. These relationships include the chamber of commerce, economic development groups, and local businesses that contribute funds to help offset college costs for families. Expanding those relationships into career pathways and potential co-op programs is the next phase. “That’s certainly something we’re going to be leaning on in the future to enhance our opportunities,” Dr. Criscione notes. However, Mount Sinai faces a challenge uncommon among Long Island districts: “The problem that’s unique to Mount Sinai is that we don’t have a big commercial base at all here,” she explains. The hamlet’s residential character, while creating the family-oriented atmosphere that attracts affluent residents, limits local employment partnerships. 13 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Founded in 1992, HNE Equipment is a leading full-service distributor of equipment, casework and furniture for K-12 schools, colleges, universities, healthcare providers and commercial offices throughout the Tri-State region. Rely on our team for superior quality furnishings, strict adherence to architectural guidelines and swift turnaround times. At HNE Equipment it is our mission to provide educational furniture and equipment that will be conducive for students and faculty. Our modern and unique furnishings contribute to the classroom’s environment, creating spaces that promote engagement, collaboration, and productivity. We work closely with you each step of the way to achieve your objectives and create beautiful enhancing learning spaces. HNE offers only the finest quality products from leading manufacturers. Our products are durable, attractive and designed to meet distinct needs for any environment. Furniture is the primary tool for achieving a transformation to your classroom or office. Our furniture strategically focuses on flexibility and mobility, ergonomics, and seamless technology integration. Furniture should support physical and cognitive needs, while promoting comfort and focus. HNE Equipment is your partner and vendor here to bring your ideas to life. CLASSROOM FURNITURE LIBRARY FURNITURE LOCKERS BLEACHERS CAFETERIA FURNITURE CASE WORK OFFICE FURNITURE SCIENCE FURNITURE VISUAL DISPLAY Create Spaces That Inspire YOUR PREMIER FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER HNENY.COM 1371-5, CHURCH ST. BOHEMIA, NY 11716 I 631-563-6500
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Even the chamber of commerce serves multiple communities. “It’s actually a lot of residential, so there are not a lot of Mount Sinai businesses,” Dr. Criscione says. “The Chamber of Commerce is a multiple. It’s Mount Sinai and Miller Place, and Miller Place really has the majority of businesses, not us.” The geographic reality means students will likely work outside their immediate community, making regional partnerships and BOCES programs more valuable than hyperlocal business connections. Dr. Criscione acknowledges the constraint directly: “It does become a bit challenging for us.” EMBRACING CHANGE WHILE HONORING IDENTITY The immediate future presents challenges that require flexibility more than fixed plans. Over the next 18 to 24 months, Dr. Criscione emphasizes adaptation over specific initiatives.“Really trying to be adaptable as the policies and the funding shift. I mean, that’s a huge issue,” she says.“We really don’t know what’s ahead of us with the state, and we are 16 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
just trying to transform our campus into a more modern student-centered environment.” The balance between innovation and tradition defines much of the district’s strategic thinking. “I want to stay true to our community values, innovating the best way we can, but having that balance of honoring who we are while preparing what we want to become,” Dr. Criscione explains. For a district that earned National Blue-Ribbon recognition in 2021 and maintains high academic performance with 99% of high school students testing proficient in math, change carries risk as well as opportunity. Elsesser’s priority centers on ensuring middle school students arrive at high school ready to pursue their interests immediately. “I want students to be able to sample all those things in middle school so that when they get to high school, they don’t necessarily have to waste as much time figuring out what does motivate them, but that they’re ready to springboard and follow those areas of passion,” he says. Dr. Branscombe focuses on leadership and resourcefulness. “It really is about empowering leaders,” he says. “Oftentimes we say no to things because we can’t afford it, we can’t find the time. I think it’s about empowering leaders to find ways around those obstacles, whether it be grant money, whether it be volunteers joining us to help out.” 17 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 MOUNT SINAI UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n BELFOR Property Restoration www.belfor.com As the world’s largest disaster restoration company, we strive to deliver proactive support and turnkey solutions for clients across all industries. From simple repairs and remodeling to total construction or capital improvement projects, BELFOR has the resources to deliver fast reliable results with minimal disruption. n Ameresco www.ameresco.com Founded in 2000, Ameresco is a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and advance decarbonization. We deliver energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, and distributed energy resources for government, utility, data centers, education, healthcare, housing, and C&I customers. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, Ameresco employs 1,500+ experts across North America and Europe. n HNE Equipment www.hneny.com At HNE Equipment it is our mission to provide educational furniture and equipment that will be conducive for students and faculty. Our modern and unique furnishings contribute to the classroom’s environment, creating spaces that promote engagement, collaboration, and productivity. We work closely with you each step of the way to achieve your objectives and create beautiful enhancing learning spaces. n Energia www.energiasaves.com Energia USA, Inc. is a certified Woman-Owned, Technical Owner’s Representative and Energy Engineering and Design Consultancy. We manage energy performance contracts, provide energy modeling, retro-commissioning, and auditing, and deliver MEP engineering, design, and solar solutions that reduce costs, modernize systems, and advance sustainability for our school district and AEC partners. The Mount Sinai School District operates in a unique position: serving an affluent residential community while preparing students for jobs in a regional economy shaped by forces beyond local control. The strategic plan through 2030 provides direction, but the real work happens in incremental changes across grade levels, in partnerships that take learning beyond campus boundaries, and in the willingness to adjust course as state policies and workforce demands evolve. 18 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
WWW.MTSINAI.K12.NY.US WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE Mount Sinai Union Free School District
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