By Laura Lane
Trustees agreed to allow a public vote on the resolution; however, much discussion ensued regarding exactly when that vote would take place.
"I'd like to see the vote happen when the library is having their budget vote [May 15], so we can save the taxpayers $5,000," said Trustee John Pinto.
John Rossi, the board vice president, disagreed. "Five thousand dollars isn't frivolous, but for the two years I've been on this board, issues of the library have been soaking up our energy," he said. "I think we should do this as soon as possible."
Trustee Alyse Middendorf agreed. "This has been a contentious issue for way too long," she said. "I believe it will benefit the community to have this issue done with as soon as possible."
Trustee Jonathan Butler said he had reconsidered a previous opinion of his to wait for the public vote. "If as soon as possible helps our working relationship between the two boards, I'll go with that," said Butler.
But Linda Fuller, the board president, reminded board members that a new roof at Old Mill Road Elementary School will cost more than the already publicly approved $700,000. "I'd like to tie this referendum to that one," said Fuller.
For the referendum Fuller referred to, voters will need to decide whether to accept an Excel Aid grant from the state. Rossi was not averse to combining the two referendums, but he said that he would like to see the vote occur by the end of January or early February.
After further discussion, the board agreed to hold the vote regarding the North Merrick Library's title on March 6, to coincide with a possible Old Mill Road roof vote.
Test scores
The district's state math assessment scores were released recently, with most students mastering the tests. Students must earn a 3 or 4, on a scale from 1 to 4, in order to receive a mastery score. The breakdown was given by grade, with fourth-graders achieving 95 percent mastery, fifth-graders, 90 percent, and sixth-graders, 99 percent. The principals will give each of North Merrick's three schools individual results at upcoming PTA meetings.
Writing workshop
Stephanie Grossman, the district's literacy coach, shared a PowerPoint presentation about the district's writing workshop. "When we learned to write, we were told what to write about, how it should look and what it should say," said Grossman. "Writing was removed from us. Now students learn to embrace the writing process, empowered to choose their own topics and draw from their own life experiences."
Grossman compared the different methods used with kindergartners, first- and second-graders to encourage them to express themselves through writing. Children have been introduced to a writing "cycle," in which they "rehearse" their ideas, create a draft, revise their work by using crafting techniques and writing strategies, and edit their work. "The writing workshop provides students with the foundation they need to become analytical, creative and reflective readers and writers," said Grossman.
BZA hearing
During the public hearing, North Merrick resident Bob Hackett asked whether there would be any district representation at an upcoming Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals hearing, scheduled for Nov. 29 at 3 p.m., regarding a plan by Omnipoint Communications, the owner of the T-Mobile franchise, to erect 12 cell-phone antennas atop the Carefree Racquet Club. The club is 1414 Jerusalem Ave., near Fayette Elementary School.
Fuller said that she was unaware of the hearing, but added that district and PTA representatives would attend. She directed Superintendent David Feller to send a letter home in children's backpacks to alert parents of the upcoming meeting.
Library questions
Christine Mack, president of the North Merrick Civic Association, asked whether any other meetings have been scheduled between the Merrick Library and Merrick School District boards. She wondered if there would be a meeting for the public to comment on the impact of a library title transfer.
Fuller said that no new meetings had been scheduled. She added that a previously discussed issue, an arrangement whereby the library's pensions are paid by the school district, would probably continue.
Pinto said that he thought that the library should take responsibility for its pensions. "If they're going to take the title, they should take care of business," said Pinto. "It costs the district $75,000 to pay these pensions."
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