Public hearing on Gunther closing set

North Bellmore’s Committee to Explore Educational Options recommended closing Gunther School at a Nov. 16 meeting. Committee members presented findings to the Board of Education, which will hold a public hearing to review the committee’s recommendation on Thursday, Dec. 8, at Saw Mill Road School at 7 p.m.

The Board of Education ultimately holds the power to make the final decision regarding closing a school. Following the public hearing, the board will vote at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Martin Avenue School at 8 p.m. The recommendation to close Gunther came from the 21-member committee, which had already announced at an Oct. 16 meeting that closing a school was necessary. Twelve committee members voted to close Gunther, as they said they believed it was the most logical option. Closing a building could save just over $1 million, Superintendent Arnold Goldstein said.

Gunther now accommodates the smallest number of children of any of the district’s six schools, with 263 students. When considering which building to close, the committee wanted to displace as few children as possible and to ensure that those children would be less than two miles away from the building they will be moved to. All 263 students can be accommodated at the Dinkelmeyer and Saw Mill Road schools, said Dinkelmeyer Principal Faith Skelos during a presentation at the November meeting. There would also be room for an additional 52 students before the schools would reach 85 percent capacity.

Additionally, the committee recommended extending the busing mileage requirement to two miles, essentially eliminating busing, which could save the district as much as $400,000. The board must also approve extending the busing mileage requirement. Both items will be considered at the public hearing and will be voted on by the board.