School Officials Praise Staff For Response to Post-Sandy Schedule [VIDEO]

Great Neck school district staff are making the most of a less than pleasant situation regarding changes to the school scedule.

That's was the word Monday at a meeting of the Great Neck Board of Education, where school district officials commended staff members for making adjustments.

A new calender was adopted Nov. 19 which shortened off days for students and teachers, adding six days to the school calendar: Feb. 19-22 for students, and staff and June 24-25 for staff only.

District Superintendent Thomas Dolan addressed the "unpleasant reality" of recent changes to the school calender at the meeting at Great Neck North High School asked by a student about the changes.

"We tried every possible scenario to try to find those days," said Dolan to Great Neck Middle School student Andrew Abrudescu, a student delegate to the school board. 

Dolan used his response to praise district staff for their "professionalism" in dealing with the extra days. 

"A vey small majority of them were unable to change their plans," said Dolan.

Ninety-eight percent of teachers, one hundred percent of Association of Supervisors and Administrators (SAGES) and central building administration staff will be present, according to Dolan.

The superintendent said he will do everything he can to work with parents to get students to get them in class in February — normally a time for winter break.

"When I said those will be real days of instruction, they will be real days of instruction," said Dolan. "Since we are having real days of instruction, we would love to have your kids here."

Board Vice President Lawrence Gross expressed appreciation for the efforts of staff members regarding their response to the schedule changes.

"There's no question their number one emphasis is on the education of our children," said School Board Vice President Lawrence Gross. 

Some people modified plans, including surgery, in order to be present in February, according to Gross.

"It's certainly a wonderful example of how our staff works to help our kids," said Gross.

The partnership the school board has with the Great Neck Teachers Association and SAGES is profoundly important, according to longtime school board member Donald Ashkenase.

"We are one and the same and we are always able to work together," said Ashkenase.

Board President Barbara Berkowitz was not present at the meeting,