Lawrence meeting becomes heated

Concerns raised about leasing space in two district schools

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What was going to be a brief, quick Lawrence Board of Education meeting on Monday erupted into an attack on three fronts after five people spoke during the public comment portion.

A larger than typical number of attendees came to the meeting following the news that space in either the Number Two School or Number Four School, both of which house the youngest children in the school district, could be leased out to the Martin DePorres School for students within the district and from neighboring ones with special-needs and behavioral problems.

“Young children learn from their environment around them, if a mother and father are abusive a child witnesses that,” said Inwood resident Margaret Hall, speaking against the proposed plan. “We are not willing to accept negative influences. We should be surrounding them with great and positive role models.” Hall’s words drew applause from the audience. Her son is a first-grader in the Lawrence Primary School at the Number Two School.

Based on what Lawrence officials called a tentative plan, at least 10 high school-aged students would attend school in one of the district buildings for half a day, then would be off campus for their vocational training. With nine empty classrooms in the Number Two School, the students would be placed in a separate wing that could be secured, said Superintendent Gary Schall. There are a half dozen unused classroom in the Number Four School.

“I am concerned about the Number Two School,” said Woodmere resident Matthew Russo, the father of a special-needs student. “You are taking a chance with our children’s lives.”

The board did not comment. Previously Schall said, that working with the Martin De Porres School would save the district thousands of dollars a year. The average cost of sending a high school to BOCES career preparation is nearly $90,000 per school year. The De Porres School cost could be less than $40,000, and after the first $38,000, 50 percent is reimbursed by the state.

An emotional plea

Yvonne Stokes-Kelly, made an emotional plea to the board about being laid off on April 13 from her $23 per hour cleaner job in the district, the loss of her benefits and double time and overtime pay. One of six cleaners who lost their jobs due to district consolidation, she was offered a job at $15 an hour without benefits. “I am the sole supporter in my house, said the lifelong Inwood resident.

“You have to look out for me, because I looked out for the kids.” There was no comment from the board.

Prior to Stokes-Kelly’s emotional plea, perennial gadfly and once again trustee candidate Asher Matathias spoke attacking the administration, specifically Schall, and the board for what he believes is a lack of respect when speaks to them. The Woodmere resident became red-faced with anger and was told by Board President Murray Forman to, “Please sit down or we will adjourn the meeting.” After gathering himself, Matathias took his seat.

For the third consecutive year, Matathias is running for a board seat. He is challenging 21-year Board of Education veteran David Sussman for the three-year term. Two other incumbents, Michael Hatten and Tova Plaut, are running unopposed.

Hewlett-Woodmere
Incumbent school district Trustee Mitchell A. Greebel and candidate Daniella Simon are running unopposed for the three-year term. Trustee Harold Kislik is not running for re-election. Sitting library Trustee Frank Zaret is unchallenged for the five-year term.

Voting for the school and library budgets and board members for both is on May 17.