Weeks after Hurricane Sandy damaged much of the South Shore of Nassau County, residents are continuing to pick up the pieces and return to their normal lives. The East Rockaway community took a big step in the road to recovery last week when students went back to school — although for hundreds of students, it was with a change of scenery. more

Although it wasn’t possible for students, administrators and teachers to reach their school buildings during the 10-day hiatus after Hurricane Sandy, the time off was anything but a vacation. A Board of Education meeting at the Steele School on Nov. 14 allowed parents, board trustees and other community members a chance to catch up on what’s been happening at Baldwin schools. more

The following is a transcript of the latest status of the Baldwin School District. This message was sent by phone and email on Nov. 5. more

A special meeting at the Baldwin school district offices on Sept. 27 was well attended in spite of short notice. At issue was a proposal to reduce busing services in Baldwin in order to save money and preserve school programs. more

A group of 58 students in Baldwin Senior High School’s Medical Academy program were presented with white lab coats last week — a special occasion similar to ceremonies held in medical schools. The coats, donated by North Shore LIJ and the Baldwin School-to-Career program, will be used by the upper grades in their classes and on field trips to medical facilities, school district spokeswoman Cristina Schmohl said. more

A Board of Education meeting on Sept. 12 brought unwelcome, but not unexpected, news: Baldwin schools are facing a budget deficit again. In the 2012-13 budget — the one approved in May — a gap of around $4.7 million was part of the impetus for closing the Shubert and Milburn schools, among other cost-cutting measures. The shortfall projected for the next budget, 2013-14, is even more substantial. more

Eric Harrison, was elected to a seat on the Baldwin Board of Education in last week’s election, is a Brooklyn native who moved to the area in 1994. He and his wife, Melanie, have been married for 18 years and their two children attend Baldwin Senior High School and the middle school. more

News of police activity in Baldwin resulted in a precautionary lockout of district schools this morning. The lockout was lifted after approximately one hour and although no one was allowed in or out of any school building while the procedure was in effect, students still attended classes as usual. more

Next year’s budget for Baldwin schools makes the best of a bad situation. The choices district officials had to make on spending were grim, but they were realistic, and based on many hours of careful consideration. While there may be regret about the plan’s cost-cutting measures, there should not be anger, and voting “no” on the budget as an expression of vitriol would be a mistake. Voters who do so would actually be disadvantaging the students they hope to protect. The outcome would not be a restoration of programs, schools or jobs, but rather an even more savage slashing of funds that would gut district activities and significantly reduce the quality of life for students and non-students alike. more

There are five candidates for two seats on the Baldwin school board. The election will be held on May 15 from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. at Baldwin Senior High School. The last day to register to vote is May 10. The incumbent candidates for school board are Mary Jo O’Hagan, the current board president, and Robert “B.A.” Schoen. The challengers are Tracy Mahler, Eric Harrison and Michael Grannum. Below are profiles of each candidate. more