Closing schools opens community dialog

By KIMBERLY M. WEYANDT

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — When the Sullivan West school board voted to support a budget that would close two elementary schools—without discussion and against the advice of a community board—the poetic pleas of the community seemed to fall on deaf ears.

For over an hour on April 7, the disappointed, the passionate and the factual took turns addressing the board from one of the two microphones. Some were given answers; others were excused by board president Richard Sandler’s casual “Thank you, next please.”

“The school board treats its contingency like they were serfs; we can’t get a straight answer out of the superintendent,” said a frustrated Tom Predergast of Narrowsburg.

Moving on, the board jumped right into its regular business, approving bills and retirements.

Then Superintendent Alan Derry took the stage.

“I listened carefully to what you said,” Derry told the public.

“The community board has recommended Plan A [keeping the schools open and redistricting] over plan C [closing the Narrowsburg and Delaware Valley elementary schools] but recently there’s been some change in sentiment there.”

“It’s best for the kids to be together in one place, and to keep the tax increase out of the stratosphere is best for everyone,” said Derry before recommending the closing of two of the elementary schools.

Tony Rexhouse, Sullivan West’s business administrator took his familiar place at the projector to present the public with a budget slide show. Halfway through he remembered to inform the public that he was presenting the budget for plan C.

In a seamless motion, the school board shared the reason for their decision.

“If it is true that all the students together in one place allows for more flexibility, for more teaching opportunities and better control, and all the things that he [Derry] spoke about and it saves us the money we’ve been talking about then it makes sense to me,” said board member Shawn Bailey.

“I think that since the people voted for these building projects they should at least get a say on whether or not they want to keep them open. I would like to see the people given the choice,” said board member Angela Daley.

When the votes were tallied, it was seven board members for closing the schools versus Angela Daley and Richard Lander, who wanted to let the people decide.

The board’s decision left the community board wondering why their time had been seemingly wasted. The community board, made up of over 30 local residents, was hand-picked to come up with solutions the public would support based on the same facts that the school board was given. After hard discussion, debate, option exploration, three-hour meetings and two votes, the community board recommended that the district leaders allow the public a chance to keep their elementary schools open.

“After Thursday’s meeting I was kind of in shock. I was hoping the board would hear the committee,” said Jennifer Mann, a volunteer on the community board.

Although the budget proposal that will go to the public vote on May 17 is designed with the understanding that the buildings will close, it is not tied to it. The buildings could remain open or closed regardless of the budget that passes. If the budget passes, the board will have to formally vote to close the buildings. If the budget fails, it is most likely that it will go into a contingency vote and the board can still vote to close the buildings.

“I wanted the people to have a choice,” said Daley. “If we had put up the 23.6-percent tax hike option and it was voted down, the board would have gotten the message, but now the people won’t have a say.”

The board’s decision has prompted the formation of at least two community groups who steadfastly continue to explore the options.

Prendergast is a member of a new group he has named “The Committee to save Narrowsburg Central.” The committee, made up of people ranging in age and position, are working to get the other budget option on the ballot. They are also trying to get the state to come in and let the public know how bad the construction problems with the high school are. This group will hold their next meeting on Thursday, April 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Narrowsburg Inn.

“We’re very passionate about keeping the school open,” said Narrowsburg resident Stacy Snow. “My husband wants to move if the school is closed. We’ve already talked to a realtor.”

Carol Wingert, a member of the community board, will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00 at the Tusten Town Hall. Wingert is looking to assess what the community wants to achieve to keep elementary education in the community.

Although the outcome remains to be seen, the public is taking a part in this community decision.