_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD $1.00
St. Frances hosts community picnic
Wantagh H.S. alumna is finalist
Clavin discusses storm impact
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Vol. 69 No. 35
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Parents urge district to make masks optional By KATE NAlEPiNSKi knalepinski@liherald.com
Kate Nalepinski/Herald
A concert full of Heart Ann Wilson, the lead singer and songwriter of Heart, belted out “Barracuda” at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on Saturday. Story, more photos, Page 6.
“Enough with the masks!” “Stop following CDC guidelines!” “Make your own decisions!” These were just a few of the sentiments that some community members launched at district administrators during the Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education meeting on Aug. 19. More than 100 community members turned out for the twohour-long regular meeting, some demanding the school make masks optional for the 2021-22 academic year. The meeting took place just hours after the neigh-
boring Massapequa School District announced that masks would no longer be required in classrooms. Before the public comment period, Superintendent John McNamara gave an update on the district’s reopening plan, which could be finalized late this week. Wantagh is expected to fully open schools on Sept. 1, McNamara said. Students will follow traditional starting times and schedules; they will be offered all extracurriculars; desk shields will not be used; and students will be free to use lockers and locker rooms. Masks will be required on school buses. According to the reopening Continued on page 13
Task force could improve life for those with disabilities By KATE NAlEPiNSKi knalepinski@liherald.com
A new group in the early stages of for mation could help improve the lives of Nassau County residents with disabilities. Advocates for those with disabilities, residents and members of the County Legislature gathered last week to announced a bipartisan bill that would create a Disabilities Awareness Advisory Group. If approved by the full Legislature next month, the group would meet quarterly to discuss how the county could operate more effectively for those with disabilities.
The bill is expected to come before a legislative committee on Sept. 13, and to be considered by the full Legislature on Sept. 24. Legislator Steve Rhoads, a Republican from Bellmore, said that seven members of the 15-member advisory g roup would be required to have one or more disabilities, or be representatives of organizations that provide service or advocate on behalf of people with disabilities. There would also be nonvoting members from numerous county departments, Rhoads said. “This is an opportunity for the Legislature to listen to those who face issues and problems
every single day,” he said, “to give us advice on how we can do our job better, how we can advocate for them and how we can provide better access to the county’s programs and services. Gina Barbara, an advocate for those with disabilities and a Wantagh resident, has been working to improve the lives of those with disabilities for several years. Six years ago, Barbara approached county officials to make her case. She requested that the county work to improve public transportation for those with disabilities and senior citizens. Barbara said she was excited to see the direction that the Leg-
islature is taking. “There needs to be more listening at the county level,” she said. “The disabled community and the senior community is a minority. We’re aware of that. But if we can get this bill to make things a little bit stronger, a little bit louder for us, great.” Legislator Bill Gaylor, a Republican from Lynbrook,
cosponsored the bill. In a press release, Gaylor stated that he was looking forward to “working with advocates and residents to bring about meaningful change in Nassau. “We want to let everyone know that no matter your disability, here at the Legislature, you have a voice,” he said. Continued on page 14