Northport Schools Notebook

Late Bus Notices

Superintendent Marylou McDermott credited the Bellerose Avenue PTA president with alerting her over the Labor Day weekend to the fact that some parents hadn’t received their children’s bus schedules. McDermott said a weather-related power failure at one of the local post offices was to blame, prompting her to send a Connect-Ed message to parents.

Busing Exception Discussion Continues

Tim Farrell was back to advocate for his daughter to attend a private school in Stony Brook , even though he lives 15.4 miles from the school. The district policy limit is 15 miles, and the cost to the district would be more than $18,000.

Following the , McDermott said she had contacted Kings Park Superintendent Susan Agruso to see if Farrell’s daughter could be bused along with two other students from Kings Park who were going to Stony Brook. The cost to the Northport district for shared transportation would be $9,384.97.    

Trustee Joe Sabia wanted to discuss why the district wasn’t providing an educational curriculum that was appropriate but Board President Stephen Waldenburg refused to go there. “I don’t want to get into a debate as to which school is better.”

Trustee Jennifer Thompson was in favor of the compromise since the educational needs of the student were being served.

Trustee Tammie Topel agreed, saying that it was an educational issue, not one of distance. She noted that a G&T (Gifted and Talented) student doesn’t have the same legal protection as a Special Education student.

Waldenburg noted the difficulty involved in measuring a G&T student. Topel countered that it was her understanding that there is no program available for a G&T student as of seventh grade.

The board debated whether the move would set a precedent, with Trustee Lori McCue reminding her colleagues that another family last year had been denied busing, even though they exceeded the limit by feet.

The Board agreed to table the motion until Sept. 26 to get more information on the transportation cost per student.

Soccer Tournament Will Go On

Dennis Kropp, President of the Northport Cow Harbor United Soccer Club, and Attorney Jim Matthews, asked the board to bend its sports policy regarding Sunday play in time for its 23rd Annual Columbus Weekend Tournament on Oct. 9 and 10. The tournament, which has been held in Northport in the past, attracts more than 300 teams, including some from Canada, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Board policy requires play to begin after 11 a.m. on Sundays on fields with the exception of Northport High School. The tournament needs to begin at 8 a.m. to accommodate 720 games over the two-day period.

Waldenburg noted a paperwork glitch in which the application form wasn’t clear on the time restrictions. Applications have since been revised, and the board agreed to make an exception this year for the Club. Kropp said his group would work with Athletic Director Drew Cronin to minimize the disruption to residents around the Fifth Avenue School, which was the main location of concern.