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East Rockaway SCHOOL DISTRICT

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VOL. 31 NO. 49 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19,1983 25c PER COPY

East Rockaway School Board: "T 'brrr-^^

RAZE RHAME AND CENTRE SCHOOLS T h e E a s t R o c k a w a y

Board of Educat ion, in its meeting on October 17, unanimously passed a reso-lution calling for a bond issue r e f e r e n d u m which would authorize the Board to tear down both Rhame and Centre Avenue schools and replace them with two new buildings at a combined cost of almost $7 million. Renovations at the High School would bring the total bond price to well over $10 million.

The referendum, which must be approved by the res-idents of the school district, will be held on Tuesday, December 13 f rom 6 am until 9 pm at the High School.

The Board explained that it was forced to take this drastic step due to the rapidly deteriorating condi-tions at Rhame Avenue school and the general dis-r e p a i r of b o t h C e n t r e A v e n u e a n d t h e High School. Citing years of neg-lect, the Board argued that falling plaster and masonry at Rhame Avenue school has forced the closing of the gymnasium, the audi tor ium and the music room. Super-i n t e n d e n t of S c h o o l s M i c h a e l M a i d e n n o t e d , however, that there is struc-turally no immediate prob-lem at the schools and the buildings are currently safe for children to attend.

If approved by the voters, the referendum would auth-orize the Board to issue b o n d s l o f inance the demoli-

tion of the old buildings and the construct ion of the new. Current projected costs for replacement are $3,365,000 f o r C e n t r e A v e n u e , $ 3 , 3 3 0 , 0 0 0 f o r R h a m e A v e n u e , a n d r e n o v a t i o n costs at the High School are expected to be approxi-mately $3,728,000. The total amount raised by the bond i s s u e w o u l d t h u s be $10,423,000, payable at an annual interest rate of 9% over a 30 year period.

The Board stated that the r e f e r e n d u m , if p a s s e d , w o u l d b r i n g a b o u t an increase in the yearly school tax of over $2 per hundred of assessed valuation. Mr. Maiden pointed out that this would represent an increase to the average East Rocka-way homeowner of more than $120 over and above any increase that might be passed by the Board in its normal course of business. It was noted by some that this addit ional increase may be c o n s i d e r a b l e , as t e a c h e r contracts are up for renego-tiation next year. The cur-rent school tax rate is $25.97 per hundred of assessed valuation, making the East Rockaway school district one of the most heavily taxed in Nassau County.

The Board reported that it considered costs-of reno-vation of all three school buildings, but rejected the plan as similar to "putt ing a band-aid on a person who has just received a com-pound fracture of the leg."

JOSEPH BREVEHI J o s e p h Breve t t i , a

l o n g - t i m e res iden t of Eas t R o c k a w a y and active member of many civic organizations, died on October 8, 1983.

In the 40 or so years that Joe lived in East Rockaway, his efforts were always on the behalf of the community . A m e m b e r of t he Eas t Rockaway Fire Depart-ment, for over 30 years, Joe was the Trustee of the Clark Street Firehouse. He was instrumental in helping the other com-panies build and revamp their firehouses. Joe was recently honored by the Elks Lodge of Lynbrook as "Fi reman of the Year."

Joe's efforts did not s t o p w i t h t h e F i r e Department . An active member of the Kiwanis Club for more than 30 years, he served as its President. He was also a Director of the East Rockaway Action Party, and gave much to the Vil-lage of East Rockaway.

Joe represented the essence of v/hatj is East R o c k a w a y : co/ncerned neighbors helping each other. He never hestiated in giving himself for the sake of others, Joe may be gone, but he left a n a m e t h a t w i l l be remembered by all who knew him. He will be

T h e cos t of r e n o v a t i o n would be $1,314,000 at Cen-t r e A v e n u e S c h o o l , $ 1 , 0 2 8 , 0 0 0 a t R h a m e A v e n u e S c h o o l , a n d $3 ,728 ,000 at the H igh School.

The proposed bond issue sparked an immediate storm of p r o t e s t f r o m t h o s e assembled. Most vocal in his o p p o s i t i o n was f o r m e r Mayor Arnold White, who was cheered by the audience when he contended that the addit ional tax burden could not be expected to be absorbed by the community-a t - l a r g e , espec ia l ly t h o s e who are senior citizens and on a fixed income, and that t he p r o p o s e d r e b u i l d i n g would only serve to drive . people f rom their homes. The Board responded by stating that property values would likely increase in the

. fu tu re if the new schools were built.

The Board acknowledged that many problems remain even if t he r e f e r e n d u m passes. There is the very real problem of where the child-ren would go to school if, while under construction, the schools deteriorate so rapidly that they are deemed u n s a f e . M r . M a i d e n explained that there were several contingency plans to be considered in that event, including the busing of the children . to another com-munity in the area, not indi-vidually but as a school. Mr. Maiden noted that this plan

E.R. Library Hosts Authors The East Rockaway Pub-

lic Library and the Cultural Arts Council of East Rock-away cordially invite the people in our community to the Autumn Tea, Monday noon, October 24 in the libary, 477 Atlantic Ave. t e a sandwiches, coffee and cake will be served.

R o b e t K i m m e l S m i t h , au thor of "Jane 's House" will be the guest speaker at one o'clock. This event is made possible with support f rom Poets and Writers, Inc., which is funded by the Literature Program of the New York State Council on the Arts.

Mr. Smith is the author of the "Sadie Shapiro" books.

could not be acted upon until the' emergency arises because the district cannot contract for these future possibilities.

The Board concluded its argument in favor of the new buildings by stating that regardless of the passage of the bond issue, something

must be done to repair our schools. They offered the fact that the State will sub^-sidize 47.3% of the costs, thus relieving some of the burden to the taxpayer. In addition, new construction bonds take 30 years to mature, while those used for renovation purposes are of a

shorter maturity, usually 15 or 20 years. This would in the short term reduce the amount of an increase in school taxes for the first year or two. Lastly, it would take a p p r o x i m a t e l y the s a m e ajnount of time to complete renovation as it would to rebuild the two structures.

Lynbrook Ready to Meet Regents Improvements

Dr. Seklerman

Superintendent of Schools Bern Seiderman says that "Lynbrook will be ready," if the New York State Regents proposed action plan to i m p r o v e e l e m e n t a r y and s e c o n d a r y e d u c a t i o n is approved. Dr. Seiderman, who represented suburban s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s a t t h e upstate conference, points out that the quality of edu-c a t i o n in L y n b r o o k is always striving for excel-lence, and that although he questions some portions of the outlined changes and new requirements, he sup-ports the raise in standards and goals of the state.

The superintendent told school trustees that passage of the new curriculum will bring greater control by the state. "At present, the syllabi that must be covered is

recommended," he explains, "But if the Regents vote for it, it will be manda ted ." A decision is anticipated by February^ 1984.

Included in the syllabi is the requirements of a local diploma which will demand two years of mathematics, where one is required now; two years of science, where one is required nOw; four years of social studies, where three are required now; and one year of art or music, where none is required now. A Regents diploma will call for three years of mathemat-ics, one is required now; three years of science; one is required now; three years of f o r e i g n l a n g u a g e , n o r e q u i r e m e n t s n o w ; f o u r years of social studies, three required now; and one year in art or music.

Also m a n d a t e d is an introduction to careers, a one-half year course in both seventh and eighth grades, c o u p l e d wi th t e c h n o l o g y courses to replace the cur-rent practical arts require-ment.. A local or Regents diploma with concentration in occupational education will need three to six sequen-tial units in that area.

Changes in testing at the elementary level will involve new state examinations in both science and social stu-dies given in the sixth grade and the inclusion of compu-

ter knowledge and skills as a topic on the grades three and six P E P tests. All students will be required to develop proficiency in a foreign lan-guage. With emphasis on speaking and listening, pro-ficiency will be tested at the end of the ninth grade.

Dr. Seiderman called pas-sage of legislation to extend the school year by 20 days, "remote," suggesting that the plan is opposed by Gov-ernor Cuomo and that costs wou ld be " p r o h i b i t i v e . " School board member, Ali-cemarie Bresnihan, present at the National Conference for Excellence in Education, reports that Secretary of Education Bell praised the learning processes in the eastern part of the county. D r . S e i d e r m a n , w h o is watching the progress of the regional conferences sche-duled across the state, cites the larger number of Lyn-brook High School students who already partake in more courses than required.

"We get spoiled," states Board P r e s i d e n t C h a r l e s Spector. "With the high quality of education here in this district, we sometimes fail to realize that many parts of the country fall well below standards. We have such fine programs and teachers and we should be very proud."

this year's very popular "Jane 's House," short sto-ries, plays and children's books.

Dr. Jane Porcino, author of "Growing Older, Getting Better: A Handbook for Women in the Second Half of Life" will be the guest speaker in the East Rocka-way Public Libary, Wed-n e s d a y e v e n i n g , 7 : 3 0 ,

October 26. Dr. Porcino offers advice, support and encouragement to women over the age of 40.

A g e r o n t o l o g i s t , J a n e Porcino is the co-director of the National Action Forum for Older Women, assistant professor in the School of Allied Health Professions, and director of the geron-tology department at SUNY

at Stony Brook. After rais-ing seven c h i l d r e n she returned to school to earn an M.S.W. and then her Ph .D.

Th i s occas ion is co-sponsored by the Cultural Arts Council of East Rock-away. Refreshments will be served. The public is wel-come to enjoy the evening.