After months of studying just how they will spend the $825,000 approved in May by Farmingdale taxpayers to fix Farmingdale School District's fields and tracks, the Farmingdale Board of Education has approved a plan that will restore the high school practice field, football field and track, and repair the field at East Memorial School.

The board chose this plan over a more comprehensive one that called for relocating the football field, baseball field and track. The decision, which was made at the Sept. 9 regular school board meeting, did not appear to come easily. Although the more comprehensive plan apparently would have provided greater benefits in the long run, such as easier access and a more secure position of the football field and track, the unknown cost and longer implementation period of the plan seemed to be the deciding factors against it.

Many residents attended the meeting and spoke out against the more comprehensive plan. Some indicated that they felt that the board was changing its game plan by considering that proposal, but Board President Josephine Macchia responded that they were merely addressing the concerns expressed by community members at previous meetings. One resident commented that the more comprehensive plan would result in two spring sports - lacrosse and baseball - being played in too close a proximity, and that this would result in crowded and possibly dangerous conditions for those who watch the games and their families. Others expressed concerns about the impact of the plan on the use of the press box, which was installed just last year. When the board decided to approve the original, less comprehensive plan, there was an audible sigh of relief from the audience. Macchia thanked the residents for coming to the meeting and providing their input.

The board also discussed a variance given by the State Education Department for the transition period while the new state standards are gradually increasing the number of Regents tests that students must pass in order to receive a local diploma. The variance allows local school boards to decide if a grade between 55 and 64 will be acceptable for passing the Regents tests and receiving the local diploma. These variances would only be in effect during a brief transition period, for those students entering high school from September, 1996 through September, 1999. It may be needed by those students who are taking the Regents tests without the benefit of the longer preparation time future students will receive. The board also discussed the 11th grade English Regents test, which will be administered in January in its old format, and in June in its new format. Those students considered at risk for passing it may take both examinations.

Also at the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Gerard W. Dempsey, Jr. reported that the recent school opening went well, and that student attendance was good, despite the fact that school started before the Labor Day holiday.

Other issues presented to the board by audience members included a concern about the Albany Avenue Elementary School, which one member of the public described as dirty and having a decor that has not been changed in 30 years, apparently large class sizes for sixth graders, and the hazing of ninth grade students by upperclassmen in the high school. Dempsey responded that the district will look into these concerns. He said that there has been a serious attempt to intervene and stop hazing in the high school, and that although talk and fear about it may be widespread among underclassmen, the number of incidents is minor. However, Board Trustee Troy Rosasco said that a lack of reporting of the incidents is a problem. "It is incumbent upon us to open our eyes even wider and identify those students who are most likely involved in this," he said.

The school board will meet on Saturday, Sept. 26 for the specific purpose of discussing the pros and cons of moving the sixth grade to the middle school.This "planning session" will be open for community members to attend, but there will be no public participation period during it. The time and place will be announced at a later time. Also on Sept. 26, at 2 p.m., the East Memorial Auditorium will be dedicated to the late Dr. Gary Karp, the former school board president. As part of the ceremony, a stained glass window that was constructed in his honor will be erected.