Island Park To No Longer Send Students To West Hempstead

In a letter sent to residents earlier this month, as well as to the West Hempstead Board of Education, the Island Park Board of Education and the district's superintendent announced that the 2018-19 school year would be the last time the district sends students to West Hempstead, ending a decades-long relationship between the two school districts.

Island Park, which does not have its own high school, has been sending students to West Hempsted High School for about 50 years. A decade ago, community residents wanted their kids to attend a high school closer to home, and the district reached an agreement with the Long Beach School District for kids to go there.

Since then, fewer and fewer Island Park students have opted to go to West Hempsted High School. According to the district, over the last three years, enrollment in West Hempstead has been in the single digits.

In its decision, the Island Park Board of Education cited the cost of having two bus contracts, rising transportation costs, the limits imposed by the state's tax cap and the looming tax decision for the Barrett Power Plant, which could sharply raise taxes for Island Park residents.

"It has been an upsetting, emotional decision for us given the goodwill our two communities have shared, the wonderful memories we retain, and the heartfelt generosity West Hempstead showed our families throughout the years and especially following Superstorm Sandy," the Island Park board wrote. "Our intention is not to close any doors between us, but to act responsibly based on the decisions made to date by our parents and the economic factors that limit our financial flexibility."

The decision will not affect students currently enrolled in West Hempstead in any way, the district said. They will still be bused to the school and will graduate as normal. But no new Island Park students will enter the school after this upcoming year.

The decision has repercussions outside of the small community of Island Park. Over the last 10 years, state money has followed the Island Park students. As more students opted to attend Long Beach High School, West Hempstead saw a decrease in state aid that it depended on.

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