Board: Closing Gunther School Makes Most Sense

The school board said that after comparing numbers, closing Jacob Gunther Elementary School would make the most sense based on the number of students, transportation needs and special education needs at a meeting Thursday night.

Last month, the school board suggested closing one of its six schools in efforts to cut costs.The district has held open forums in regards to the issue, but has not announced a certain location to close.

Kaycee Wildeman, an employee at Martin Avenue Elementary School, has three children who attend the endangered Gunther. "If and when you know what school it is, just please do us a favor and announce it," Wildeman said. "Emotionally, it's killing us. Please don't wait until December - if you know, just say it."

Superintendent Arnold Goldstein and the budget committee said a definitive location is still open for discussion, and the board is more than willing to hear alternative options. If no alternative is found, Goldstein promised a location will be confirmed at the next board meeting in November.

Gunther parent David Liebowitz was outraged at the thought of his children's school closing. Liebowitz commended committee member and teacher representative Randee Colter for reaching out to district teachers on salary concessions to save money, but felt those efforts were being overlooked. "If closing a school was really a last resort, how could you not wait for an answer from your staff before putting a vote to your committee?" Liebowitz asked. "If what your saying is true, it wouldn't have been one person working on alternatives on one sub-committee before the meeting. Each and every one of you would have been working on finding other ways to cut the budget other than closing the school."

Board trustee Nina Lanci said she understands how closing a school could seem drastic, but as a community, North Bellmore will adapt. She remembered when her daughter was a student in the district's elementary schools in 1998 and Martin Avenue Elementary was not utilized.

"My kid was sent to Saw Mill Elementary School, she passed Newbridge Road School everyday," Lanci said. "We adapted. We really did well as parents and kids. When Martin opened, we met people we never would have had the opportunity to meet, many that are all still friends today."

Goldstein agreed with his fellow trustee, adding that the closing would not be permanent. "Could it reverse in four or five years?" said Goldstein. "Yes, it could. If needed, we can open the building, and hopefully the economy will improve and state aid will improve."