Parents voice school concerns

Dan Glaun

The Great Neck School Board’s meeting Monday featured impassioned debate, as parents expressed concerns about the future of North Middle School’s theater program and a prohibition on Halloween costumes at the Lakeville School.

Parents who spoke at the meeting said that preparations for North Middle School’s annual student musical are in jeopardy due to a lack of professional staff following the death last July of long-time musical director and drama teacher Daniel Tomaselli and vacancies in other arts education positions. 

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Dolan announced plans to interview two candidates for the director position and recommend an appointment at the Oct. 15 board meeting, but that proposal failed to allay the concerns of several parents in attendance.

North Middle School parent Carol Sidenberg argued that the musical is an essential part of student life and criticized the board for a perceived lack of urgency in its response to the staff shortage.

“We’re here today because it’s now September, and we’ve come nowhere,” Sidenberg said.

“I am fully committed to making this year’s North Middle School musical the next chapter in the success story that that program has experienced,” Dolan said Tuesday in a phone interview. “In poker parlance, I am all in.”

During the public comments period of the meeting, several North Middle School parents stated their concerns regarding the future of the program. Though the board, in accordance with its policies, refused to discuss specific personnel issues in public, speakers criticized the lack of staff with professional theater experience and suggested that the two candidates being considered for the director position were unqualified.

“Up until recently we’ve had four quality staff members,” Sidenberg said. “Three of the four veteran staff are gone and the fourth one, as I understand it, is taking a smaller role this year.”

“So now, we have a musical theater program but no staff with training or experience in music, vocals, dance, staging, costumes, make-up or acting,” she continued.

Dolan defended the candidates being considered for the school’s top theater post.

“I believe that with a little bit more direction… the recommended staffers will be able to pull it together,” he said. Dolan said he would not recommend either candidate if he did not think they could successfully direct the musical.

Several parents criticized the proposed directors for a lack of experience and competency, despite repeated urging from board President Barbara Berkowitz to refrain from discussing personnel matters during the public forum and address such concerns with Dolan by e-mail.

“Mr [Tomaselli] is rolling over watching this program die,” said parent Melissa Strausman. “We were promised competent people and we were lied to.”

North Middle parent Meryle Wooster spoke emotionally about the impact she believed arts education has on children with learning or emotional disorders.

“It was not just a theater program. It was a program that taught children the value of eduation,” said Wooster. “I don’t think you’re understanding how important this program is to us.”

Berkowitz disputed the attendees’ characterization of the state of the program

“It was a terrible, terrible tragedy that the musical director passed away. I can assure you that we value the program and that the program will, unlike in other districts, continue here in Great Neck,” Berkowitz said.

Also controversial was a decision made by Lakeville School principal Debbie Shalom to prohibit the wearing of costumes to school on Halloween.

Lakeville school parents Vince Lentini and Xiomara Hoey criticized the decision as detrimental to childrens’ school experiences.

“My concern is the fact that something as small as Halloween, it’s something that’s important to our children,” said Hoey. 

Lentini was less circumspect about his reaction to the policy.

“If there’s no Halloween costumes there, I’m going to come in an Abraham Lincoln costume and stand out front all day,” he said to laughter and scattered applause.

Dolan told the Great Neck News that the policy was still subject to discussion and that most elementary schools in the area already prohibit costumes.

“We’re having a principals meeting and we’re going to be discussing not only Parkville’s approach but also a district approach to Halloween,” he said.

Lentini and other concerned parents have been invited to a meeting with Shalom to discuss the issue, according to Dolan.

Parent Richard Chen defended the administration’s position.

“It wasn’t just a simple decision,” he said. “Give us some time to explain to you what the alternative is gonig to be.”

After the discussion, Dolan invited Lentini to serve on a committee that would examine the issue.

Reach reporter Dan Glaun by e-mail at dglaun@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.

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