Thursday, October 1, 2026
Concerns about a proposed elementary school realignment in the East Rockaway School District drew a large turnout at a Board of Education forum last week, as parents questioned both the logistics of the plan and how it has been communicated to the community.
The proposal, referred to as the Princeton Plan, would reorganize grade levels at the Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue schools beginning in the 2027-28 school year. District officials and administration emphasized that the plan remains tentative, and many residents said they are seeking clearer answers before a decision is made about it.
Superintendent James DeTomasso said the district was still gathering feedback on the plan. “We will not force the plan on the community,” DeTomasso said. “We are in this together, and are building a future for the district.”
Some parents said they had only learned about the proposal shortly before the April 16 forum, and that communication with the community had been limited.
“The administration and Board of Education have been discussing this, and only recently shared information with the people it directly impacts,” one parent, Dawn Falbee, said. “What was presented didn’t clearly explain the benefits.”
Falbee added that the meeting format limited discussion. “It was advertised as an open forum, but questions had to be submitted through a QR code,” she said. “That left many of us with more concerns than answers.”
“I love this school district and this town,” Falbee added. “But right now, I’m disappointed. I just hope the Board of Education and superintendent follow through on their promise that if the community is against this plan, it won’t move forward.”
Lisa Breuer, a parent of four children in the district, said that many residents were unaware of the plan. “They sent out one flier to current parents,” Breuer said. “What about the rest of the community? This affects everyone, especially taxpayers.”
In response, parents have launched their own outreach efforts, creating a Facebook group called “Our Schools, Our Voices, East Rockaway District, Realignment Forum” and sharing information through local organizations.
“Everyone who showed up that doesn’t have a student in the district right now — that’s because of us, not because of the district,” Breuer said.
Administrators said the proposal is intended to address enrollment imbalances and improve access to resources. Sean Murray, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said class sizes could vary widely depending on where students live.
“Some students are in classes of 14, others are in classes of 24,” Murray said. “By balancing those classes, we can provide a more consistent learning experience.”
Officials also pointed to increased teacher collaboration and expanded social opportunities for students if grade levels are consolidated.
Despite those potential benefits, many parents said that transportation remains one of their biggest concerns — particularly because the district does not provide busing for most students. Under the proposal, shuttle buses would run between Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue beginning as early as 7:30 a.m. and continuing through after-school activities.
Michael VanWart, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said the additional transportation would not be covered by state aid. “Any increase in transportation would fall on taxpayers,” VanWart said.
Parents questioned how the system would work in practice, especially for families with several children.
“What does the day actually look like?” Breuer said. “We’re talking about dropping one child off at one school, another at a different school, and relying on shuttles for the rest.”
She also raised concerns about supervision for younger students. “My kindergartner would have to navigate multiple steps just to get to school,” Breuer said. “That’s a lot to ask of a 5-year-old.”
District officials said staff would be on hand at both schools, and that students using shuttles would be monitored. “There will be someone there every step of the way,” DeTomasso said.
Still, parents raised additional concerns, including traffic congestion near Long Island Rail Road train crossings and the availability of crossing guards. “We already have heavy traffic because of the trains,” Breuer said. “Now you’re adding buses and more cars going back and forth.”
Some residents also questioned the data used to support the proposal.
Vincent Spano, a newer resident who previously lived in West Hempstead, said the presentation lacked clarity. “It’s not just the numbers — it’s how they were presented,” he said, adding that there were no clear projections for incoming class sizes.
Spano also raised concerns about infrastructure differences. “[Other] districts have major roadways that can handle traffic,” he said. “We don’t have that same setup here.”
Dana Casas, an East Rockaway parent, said the district’s small size is part of its appeal. “Just because it works in larger districts doesn’t mean it works here,” she said. “We chose East Rockaway because of the small-school environment.”
District officials said that duplicating certain programs in both buildings could cost up to $1 million for additional staffing. They also said the proposal could help distribute special-education services more efficiently, though some parents questioned whether cost savings were a primary factor.
“No one is against supporting special education,” Breuer said, “but we should be addressing that directly, not creating new challenges.”
The forum, which lasted nearly three hours, ended with some parents saying their questions remained unanswered.
While no vote has been scheduled on the reorganization proposal, district officials said they may revise aspects of the plan based on community feedback. “We may take parts of this plan and adjust them based on what we hear,” DeTomasso said.
For many parents, however, the process itself remains a concern. “We just want clear answers,” Breuer said. “This impacts our kids, our daily lives and our community.”
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for April 28, at the high school.
Have an opinion on East Rockaway’s proposed Princeton Plan? Send a letter to kdechter@liherald.com.
