Letters

Letters to the Editor: East Rockaway, Lynbrook

May 12-18, 2016

Posted

District is heartbroken, but not broken

To the Editor:

To say that the Lynbrook School District proposed $45 million bond was not publicized well enough — well, that’s just not so. You had to be living under a rock not to have been bombarded by fliers, letters, meetings and walk-throughs some of which were ongoing for several years.

After Superintendent Dr. Santo Barbarino’s passing, the Lynbrook community was determined to go on, and to find someone who would continue his vision. We did that with Dr. Melissa Burak.

Under her guidance and her own personal desire to grow this district, Lynbrook continues to be a refuge in the storm of life for our students. Just look at the quality and self-assuredness of our students and the amount of scholarships they receive. They are willing to stand up at a Board of Education meeting and extol the many, many wonderful things they learned within Lynbrook’s walls. These are students who are so strong, not only scholastically, but who possess amazing inner strength.

Sadly, we are in the age of social media and instant gratification, and the idea that if you don’t agree with someone, you must be wrong. There is a small segment of very vocal individuals who have lost the finesse of negotiations and respect for others, and who also feel if they shout louder and say hurtful things they will get their very narrow-minded way.

There are more than 2,700 students in the district. The BOE is there for each and every student, and will go to the mat to help each and every one — but sometimes some things are not feasible. Though they may say “no,” it doesn’t mean that another path might not be considered.

It’s time for the apathy in our community to end. It will take a few precious minutes of time, but you have to stand up and let your voice be heard. What is more precious, and at a premium, than our children and what is best for them?

There is no better proof of this than Dr. Melissa Burak, Dr. Paul Lynch, Mr. Gerard Beleckas, Mrs. Maureen Berman and the present members of our Board of Education. They have your children’s best interest at heart.

M. Marchell

Lynbrook