By Stephen J. Bronner
The purchase and installation of the two devices — a portable lift made by Ascension and a permanent one made by Garaventa Lift — will cost the district about $75,000. The lifts will be installed at the front stairs of the building, and will allow disabled students access to the first floor, but not the second or lower levels.
“The school board that I sit on always does its best to do what needs to be done quickly and responsibly,” said Dr. Asher Mansdorf, vice president of the Lawrence Board of Education. “Now our school district is on the path to becoming fully ADA-compliant,” Mansdorf added, referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“You can be sure the board is committed to doing this work,” said Dr. John Fitzsimons, superintendent of Lawrence schools. “We’re moving expeditiously so the schools will be handicapped-accessible at the opening of school — guaranteed.”
The district plans to install elevators at both the Number Four and Five schools sometime during the school year, after plans are approved by the state.
“Chris Milano, our director of facilities, has worked hard to ensure that our school has handicapped accessibility in addition to being at the forefront of the construction within our building,” said Melissa Krieger, Number Five’s principal. “I am most impressed and appreciative of the Number Five School custodial staff for their diligence and attention to detail in ensuring that our building is well prepared for the upcoming school year.”
Murray Forman, president of the Lawrence Board of Education, said that the best time to install the lifts is before the start of school. “I’ve said all along, and I do believe it to be the truth, that the level of accessibility at Number Five School come the opening of school will be equal to or better than the accessibility at the Number Six School,” Forman said. “I think we’re very much on track to making all schools as handicapped-accessible as possible.”
Some parents in the district remain bitter about the Board of Education's March decision to close the Number Six School. “They obviously did the wrong thing by closing a school, and they’re doing the best they can to get the other buildings accessible,” said Blasia Baum, a PTA member whose children attended the Number Five School, and whose fifth-grader will now attend the middle school. “They found a temporary solution. I hope the elevators will be installed soon.”
Comments about this story? SBronner@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
