ITHS Closed-Campus Policy, Sink-Hole Progress Discussed at Board Meeting

This September marked the beginning of a new closed-campus policy for Island Trees High School, meaning that upper-classmen no longer have the ability to leave campus during school hours for lunch or other activities during their free periods.

At the Island Trees Board of Education meeting Wednesday night, Island Trees High School Principal Nick Grande said the program has been a success so far. 

"Last year at the end of the first quarter we had 434 cuts. As of [Oct. 22], we had only 15 cuts," said Grande. "The hallways are clear, there are no hats in the building and we have been able to offer math extra help during all of the lunch hours. A lot of kids have been taking advantage of that."

In addition to closing campus, the school hired interior security guards this year to control loitering in the hallways and monitor more closely who enters and leaves the building. Alarms were also installed to prevent students from sneaking out during school hours.

At a work session in the beginning of the school year, the board said the new policies made the staff feel safe and transformed the building into a much more conducive learning environment.

Although this year's senior class has lost a classic upper-classmen privilege that they became accustomed to having last year, Grande gave them credit for helping to make the transition easy for all involved. Grande is rewarding the class by adding more picnic tables to the senior courtyards as well as creating a senior lounge.

Also discussed at Wednesday's meeting, once again, was the pending tax certiorari legislation-- a top priority for all Nassau County school districts.

Charles Murphy, superintendent of schools, took some time to explain what the tax certiorari would mean for the district if it is passed, including double or triple the amount of money spent by the district in legal fees each year.

"If the assessment is wrong or muddled and someone disputes it, then as of now, the county takes care of it," he said. "It could be millions of dollars of a discrepancy and if this passes, we would be responsible for that million-dollar discrepancy. At the county, they have people and a system in place to handle this. We don't have the structure for that here."

Murphy said that currently, the vote is 11 to 8 for putting the responsibility onto the school districts.

An issue brought up to the board by parents was the sinkhole on Island Trees High School's grounds that has had the track closed since September. Murphy said he spoke to architects about the situation and it seems that the problem is the roof drains – the water is not making it into the dry well.

"We are looking at having an emergency declaration but it may be a bigger project then we thought," he said.

Murphy pointed out that it looked like two roof drains were to blame, but instead of fixing only the two they may fix all of them while the area is already dug up. The school has already had an insurance representative evaluate the situation and he is presently waiting for the agent to get back to him regarding monetary action.

At the meeting, the seven members of the board – Patricia Mahon, Kenneth Rochon, Robert Condela, Kristen Daum, Christine Holt, Kim McDonough and Barbara Medellin – were commended for their work and efforts by school associations and were presented with awards by Murphy.

Charlie Smith, president of United Teachers of Island Trees, told the board that he, as well as the other teachers, recognized and appreciated all of its efforts. "The time and dedication that the seven members give to the Island Trees School District can never be questioned," he said.

Patricia Guidice, from the CSEA clerical unit, added, "The clerical staff recognizes the board of education's tireless work in helping the Island Trees School District be all that it can be."

Also recognized were six students from the Island Trees School District chosen for NYSSMA. The students were each given a certificate from Murphy and attendees were treated to a clip of one of the student's compositions.

The board of education will hold a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in the conference room at the Stephen E. Karopczyc School. Its next general meeting will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 17 in the general purpose room of the Stephen E. Karopczyc School at 7:30 p.m.