A Big Decision Ahead for Board of Education

Whether to Close Schools Now Rests with Board
By Joe Rizza

During a hearing over the Mineola Schools grade configuration study, when Option #6 was put up on the screen in the front of the auditorium, a cheer went up from the crowd. Option #6, of course, was the option that calls for the school district to remain exactly the way it is.

It is clear that parents in the Mineola School District want neighborhood schools and are mostly pleased with the way the school district delivers its education program with one school (Willis) dedicated for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, four schools (Jackson, Meadow, Cross and Hampton) dedicated to first grade through fifth grade, one school (Mineola Middle School) dedicated to six through eighth grade and one school dedicated to ninth to 12th grade.

However, with the state in a budget crisis and school districts facing possible cuts in state aid as well as a possible school budget cap and the Mineola School District already with a cost per pupil around $29,000, the board of education may find itself having to make a decision to close a school or schools.

Four of the five options that call for closing a school include the closing of the Hampton Street School and Cross Street School. The only option that can be implemented by September is the third option, which calls for the closing of Hampton and Cross at an estimated five-year savings of $17 million.

Some of those who spoke at last Monday's hearing expressed concerns about closing any schools and whether the savings would be worth changing the entire way the school district operates.

If the board of education were to elect to go with Option #3, when next school year opens in September 2009, Willis will remain as is, Jackson and Meadow would house first through fourth grades, the middle school would house grades five through seven and the high school would house grades eight through 12.

According to Mineola Superintendent of Schools Dr. Larry Licopoli, the district has aggressively sought to cut costs while maintaining its neighborhood schools.

However, the debate over whether to seek additional savings by closing schools is one that has multiple facets. Among the concerns that some district residents conveyed at the hearing were a new arrangement would have eighth grade students going to the same school as 12th grade students and whether students who start in the district from the beginning of their academic lives would have to change schools too many times.

But, a few residents pointed out that in these tough economic times, the district might have to do with fewer schools and, as a result, less costs. In addition to staffing reductions that would come as a result of school closings, the district could lease the school buildings it closes and generate revenue.

There was no denying the number of people in the audience at the hearing who were for keeping all of the neighborhood schools. Said one resident about the savings associated with closing schools, "It's unfortunate the savings isn't truly more because what is being proposed here is scary."

The school board now has the unenviable task of deciding whether to close one of two of its schools or keep all schools open. The issue is expected to be discussed at the Nov. 20 board of education meeting. That meeting will be held in the Willis Avenue School cafeteria at 7 p.m.


Source: antonnews.com