Board approves Gunther closing

At the close of the workday on June 30, 2012, Gunther Elementary will close its doors to North Bellmore School District children.

That was the decision the North Bellmore Board of Education rendered on Dec. 12. It came following the 21-member Committee to Explore Educational Options’ recommendation to close Gunther at the group’s final meeting in November.

The Board of Education voted midway through its regular session on Tuesday night. Following the decision, many parents stood up and left the room. The CEEO also recommended extending the busing mileage requirement to two miles, a measure that would require approval in a public vote.

More than an hour of public comment followed the board’s decision to shut down Gunther, with parents voicing frustration and anger. Many said they felt the money saved by closing Gunther could be found elsewhere in the budget.

“We have the money; take the year, keep the school open,” Deborah Martorana said.

At last week’s public hearing, Toni Cincotta, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, explained that the district’s 2012-13 budget can rise by no more than $600,000 under Governor Cuomo’s tax cap, from a little over $48 million to $48.6 million.

Board President Grace Cramsie said the decision to close a school was both a financial and a utilization one. Across the district, schools are operating at 71 percent of their capacity, and that figure is projected to decline to 67 percent by the 2015-16 school year. Cramsie emphasized that it would be fiscally irresponsible to keep a school open with enrollment declining.

Cramsie said that to stay within the state cap, the district must slash $1.8 million to $2.3 million from its 2012-13 budget. Closing Gunther would save the district an estimated $950,000, according to North Bellmore Superintendent Arnold Goldstein.