by Janurie Ulett With the closing of two elementary schools holding over 300 students, Baldwin School District readies for the changes that will occur in the upcoming school year. In June the Baldwin community was forced to say goodbye to the Shubert and Milburn Elementary Schools. This outcome was caused by the loss of state aid and the new tax cap limit, which led to a $4.7 million gap in the Baldwin School District budget. “These schools closing makes it feel like the community is going down,” said former Shubert student and Baldwin resident Tyrone Lyons. In October 2011 the Board of Education established a task force of parents, PTA, staff and administrative members to provide information on the capacity of all Baldwin District elementary schools and how to maximize efficient use of the buildings. Classroom sizes, potential additional space, building conditions, handicap accessibility and student demographic were focused on by the task force, which led to the board’s decision to close the schools.
There were debates regarding the possibility of hiring a professional to help with this development. However, a task force of people who already had a personal connection and history with the district was preferred. “To me it’s gonna cause the schools to be too crowded,” said Baldwin parent Al Munoz, whose daughter attends Steele Elementary School. “But I won’t mind if they have enough room for the rest of the kids.” The former Shubert and Milburn students were dispersed based on zones, causing Shubert students to transfer to either Lenox or Brookside Elementary, which is recognized as a Blue Ribbon school. Milburn students were to transfer to Steele, causing parents such as Mr. Munoz to be concerned regarding larger number of students in each class getting the proper amount of attention. The remaining elementary school can absorb the excess students from Shubert and Milburn without the construction of any additional classrooms but the board was inclined to change the district’s class size policy. Grades K-2 will have a maximum of 25 students per class and grades 3-5 will
Robbery in Baldwin
have a maximum of 28 students. “It’s really just unfair to the kids,” said Baldwin resident Jarred Thomas. “Now they have to transfer and commute to new schools.” The faculty transferred to the remaining five elementary schools in the Baldwin School District is based on their current tenure and subject area. “The number of teachers excessed is still a fluid number based on the class sizes,” said spokeswoman for
the Baldwin School District, Cristina Schmohl. “Each [class size] isn’t definitive until October 1 due to many late registrations.” “No one was happy to close these community schools,” Ms. Schmohl added. “It was done based on financial restrictions.” At the end of the 2012 school year, ceremonies were held to honor and commemorate the history of these venerable institutions.
Homework Center
further information.
baldwinlibrary
Homework Centers are available at the Baldwin Public Library in both the Children’s Department (grades 2-6) and the Teen Zone (grades 7-12). Certified teachers are available in both centers, Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. to help with assignments. The centers are open only when school is in session. Registration is required. Contact Wendy Rathjens (Children’s Services) or Jill Holleufer (Young Adult Services) at 223-6228 for
Family Story Time For age 2 to kindergarten, is Thursday, September 27, at 7 p.m. Registration is required and begins September 6.
Take and Make Crafts
For ages 3 and 4, from September 10 to 15 and October 15 to 21. Baldwin School District residents only. Materials available while supplies last.
SUMMER TUTORING
the scene in a green four-door sedan westbound on Stratford Avenue. No injuries were reported. The robber is further described as 28 to 30 years old, 5’9”, 220 pounds, wearing a black shirt and green baseball cap. Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
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ONE-ON-ONE HOME TUTORING The First Squad is investigating a Robbery that occurred in Baldwin on Thursday, August 16, at 4:10 a.m. According to detectives, an unknown black man entered the Mobil gas station on Grand Avenue while displaying a knife. The robber demanded money from the victim, a 38-year-old male store employee. After obtaining an undetermined amount of cash, the robber fled
Page 5 Thursday, August 23, 2012 The Leader
Baldwin schools brace for new era