EW ed board adds days lost to storms

Richard Tedesco

The East Williston Board of Education voted to remove three days from the five-day February break at its Monday night meeting to make up for class instruction days lost during the recent storms.

The three days, Feb. 21 through 23, were added to the school district calendar to ensure that the school district meets the state Department of Education’s requirement of 180 classroom days to receive financial aid.

“It is the board’s feeling that those days make the most sense to take back the days while still providing the continuity of the quality of education in the district,” said Mark Kamberg, president of the East Williston school board.

“If we waited until March, we would run into religious holidays,” said Robert Fallorino, vice president of the school board.

After a public discussion about the options to amend the calendar, the school board trustees withdrew to a brief executive session before voting unanimously to implement the change in the public meeting.

“As  a compromise, this is good for now,” said board Trustee Barbara Slone.

Kamberg thanked the school administrators, staff and community groups for enabling the district schools to reopen on Nov. 5.

“Though not always ideal, and in some cases in shared spaces, our teachers did what they do best, deliver instruction to the children,” Kamberg said.

Kamberg also thanked the Town of North Hempstead and town Councilman Thomas Dwyer for their assistance after the hurricane, including permitting district vehicles to refuel at town refueling stations. He also expressed sympathy with those members of staff and families in the district who suffered hardships during the storms.

“Many have come out to support those in need and our thoughts and prayers are with you, through your continued recovery efforts after the storm,” he said.

East Williston Superintendent of Schools Elaine Kanas said damage to school district grounds was relatively minor, consisting of trees down but no structural damage to district buildings.

“There was no major damage. We were relatively lucky,” Kanas said.

In other developments:

• Kamberg said the school board had approved participation in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order to permit a 21-day extension to residents for payment of their property taxes.         

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