RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, November 17, 2011, Cover Stories
North Bellmore School Committee: Close Gunther
Gunther parents cry foul, believing decision was made years ago
Tensions were high among residents and North Bellmore School District committee members around 9:15 p.m. last night as both waited for a final count after committee members voted to close one school to help close a projected $2 million-plus budget gap expected in 2012-2013.
A late rally by some Committee to Explore Education Options members – with the raucous support of many in attendance – to close a larger school almost derailed the vote, moving district Superintendent Arnold Goldstein to end any further discussion in order to take the vote.
Of 21 committee members at last night’s meeting, 12 voted to close Gunther, while six voted to close Newbridge, two voted to close Dinkelmeyer and one voted to close Park Avenue.
After the vote was taken, many Gunther parents charged that the night's proceeding did not give them an opportunity to voice their opinions before the vote was cast.
They also charged once again that the school district had made up its mind over a year ago to close Gunther, adding that the committee meetings were developed only to appease residents.
Superintendent Goldstein answered both charges, saying that once the recommendation to close Gunther by committee members was given to the North Bellmore School District Board of Education, another public hearing would take place in which Gunther parents could express their concerns.
He added that there had been no intent on his part – or any other committee member or board member – at any time over the last year to suggest that Gunther would need to close.
Gunther parent Darlene DiPrima told Bellmore Life that closing Gunther “is only a band-aid. Close a larger school,” she said, if the district wants to realize more savings. “Nothing they said here is believable anymore.”
Candice O’Connell said she has a special needs child, and it would mean her child would have to wake up earlier to ride on a bus, and may feel more vulnerable in such a setting.
Another resident, who did not wish to be identified, shouted to the board that a building [Gunther] would now sit vacant in the middle of a neigborhood.
“It will be become a target for vandals,” she said, and it abuts many homes in the neighborhood.
Many in the committee, including Park Avenue parent Angela Bennett and Martin Avenue parent Pete Mayo, said a school such as Newbridge would benefit the district better by being closed. “It is on a main commercial road, and could generate rental income in that location more than a building in a residential setting,” said Ms. Bennett.
Mr. Mayo told the committee in open discussions that he had intended, like many on the committee, to vote to close Gunther. But after more careful study of the numbers of students who would be moved from one school to another, he realized there would be more equitable student dispersion throughout the district in closing a larger school.
Commitee member and Dinkelmeyer parent Jennifer Angelou countered that the reason for the committee was to determine the closing that would have the least impact on students an staff throughout the district, and all criteria formed by the committee pointed to Gunther.
During public discussion after the vote was taken, parent Mike Dolan asked if raw data would be available, because he believed all numbers in the presentation “appeared to be driving toward a Gunther conclusion.”
At one point, Mr,. Goldstein admitted he could not understand the point of view that closing a larger school would provide more benefit. Cost savings between closing a small school and a large school are negligible, he inferred.
Another attendee reminded the committee and Mr. Goldstein that at the initial committee meeting on September 15, Dr. Robert Fowler, hired by the district to study and recommend how to close the $2 million budget gap, had recommended closing two schools in his report.
“Why not just close one larger school then?” the resident asked.
Dr. Fowler denied recommending closing two schools in his report.
More in Wednesday's Bellmore Life.
