Skip to main content

Proposed school closings discussed at district Q&A

Schools

by Joanne Kountourakis | Fri, Apr 23 2021

A Q&A with Superintendent Robert Banzer this past Tuesday, April 20, allowed for dialogue between central administration and residents concerned about the proposed school closings of Bellerose Avenue and Dickinson Avenue (pictured) elementary schools.

We rely on your support to share good news!
Become a supporting member today.

A virtual Q&A hosted by Superintendent Robert Banzer regarding the proposed school closures and district reorganization extended an hour past its scheduled end time this past Tuesday, with concerned parents asking questions and airing grievances in a forum that allowed for more public dialogue between central administrators and residents than in past meetings.

According to district Communications Specialist Nicole Stimitz, over 500 people watched at least a portion of the Q&A live; the most participants at one time was just over 200.

Familiar themes were heard from both sides, with the superintendent sharing again the background of Adapted Scenario A and why it has been proposed, and residents condemning what they perceive to be the rushed implementation of an unfair plan.

If approved, Adapted Scenario A would close Bellerose Avenue and Dickinson Avenue elementary schools, and reorganize the district to a K-4, 5-8 and 9-12 model in the district’s remaining buildings.

A 30-minute presentation by Superintendent Banzer and Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Dana Boshnack preceded the Q&A, reiterating the history and findings of the Future Study and the Educational Impact Statement.

Graphics displaying declining enrollment and the tax burden shift from the LIPA settlement were presented, as were slides detailing how the plan will “maintain and enhance” educational programs for the district’s children and, according to Superintendent Banzer, afford more opportunities to the school community as a whole.

Not all participants in the evening’s forum agreed with the presentation.

Approximately 20 people spoke, with most questions honing in on implementation of the plan in a post-Covid world, the transition of the district’s younger and special needs students to new schools, and the introduction of fifth graders to a middle school environment.

“It just boggles my mind that this is still going on when we can wait a year,” said Kendra Monahan, a Bellerose parent and member of the School Closure Advisory Task Force. She asked why the district is not considering pausing the reorganization amidst the still very current concerns of Covid. “It seems like we’re just still rushing through this when we can stop and take that year, and figure out everything, and make this the best possible year for our students,” she said.

“I don’t feel like we’re rushing, but I’m not impervious to understanding what has taken place this year,” Banzer replied. He feels the direction the district is going in with Covid and the movement it has made is aligned with science and the community starting to open up again, adding that the district can and would adjust to any challenge that came up, Covid-related or not.

Victoria Hehir, an East Northport Middle School science teacher, pushed for a pause as well, expressing a “real concern” about fifth graders being in the same building as eighth graders, and challenging the amount of planning that went into the reorganization.

“Being a teacher in the district, and teaching this past year in Covid, I don’t understand why you can’t wait one more year,” she said. “We need to plan and we need to have an educationally sound program for these fifth graders to go into the middle school.”

Mr. Banzer strongly disputed the idea that the reorganization was rushed. “The amount of planning, and the amount of thought and consideration that went into what we are presenting here was tremendous,” he said.

Throughout the meeting, Superintendent Banzer and other district officials tried to allay concerns surrounding the 5-8 model, stating that fifth graders would be separated from their older schoolmates, and that aides would be escorting them through shared spaces, including on their walks to physical education, music, art, and the cafeteria.

On the bus, fifth graders would be seated at the front, where the driver could have eyes on them, and all busses would be equipped with multiple cameras with audio, said Assistant Superintendent of Business, Robert Howard.

Again, many district parents were not persuaded, citing how this past year has already been so different for their children and that expecting them to adapt to more change is just ill-timed and unfair. Some asked that more attention be paid to younger students, specifically the socio-emotional component for those in K-3 and with special needs, and the challenges they would face because of the school closings.

One sentiment from the audience, brought up by district parent Tara Fagan, and echoed throughout the night, was about a lack of transparency in the district. “Why does it feel like this vote has already been decided?” she questioned.

The perception that the decision to close Bellerose and Dickinson is a done deal has led to much outcry within the community, said Tara. Other speakers agreed, claiming that the district was just going through the motions despite having already made up their minds on the school closings.

Mr. Banzer assured the audience this was not the case, and that no decision would be made until the board votes on the school closures and reorganization on April 29. District residents will have a final opportunity to speak directly to board members at a public hearing scheduled for April 27.

According to Stimitz, the district Communications Specialist, all board members either attended the Q&A virtually or will receive the video recording of it in advance of the hearing.

The school district’s School Closure and Reorganization FAQ can be found here:http://northport.k12.ny.us/district/school_closure_and_reorganization_faq

Video from the Superintendent Q&A is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgo5qJ-9-2g

The Northport Journal thanks our Sustaining Sponsors and Friends and Neighbors for supporting local journalism: