Mr. Bettinelli is currently serving in his sixth term on the Board. A lifelong resident of Bay Shore and a 1973 graduate from Bay Shore High School, Mr. Bettinelli graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, a United States Coast Guard license as Third Officer on U.S. merchant vessels, and a commission as Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. After graduating from Kings Point, Lou went to work as a Third and Second Officer on U.S. tankers trading on the waters of the East Coast of the United States, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean before becoming a Maritime Pilot, piloting ships for Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. on the Delaware Bay and River, New York Harbor, and Limetree Bay in St. Croix, USVI. He was president of Interport for over 28 years. He is still piloting tankers in Limetree Bay.

Lou is married to Donna (Gaine) Bettinelli for over 46 years. Donna is also a Bay Shore graduate who enjoyed a distinguished career as a Bay Shore science teacher and administrator. She retired as Director of Science for the Bay Shore School District. Their daughter and son also graduated from Bay Shore in 2001 and 2003, respectively, and their two granddaughters will be graduating with the classes of 2033 and 2036!

Lou believes that the public education experience offered in the Bay Shore school system, in scholastics, the arts, and sports is unsurpassed by any school anywhere. He also knows that Bay Shore students benefit from the best and most dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff, and from the best facilities that provide for this experience.