The Farmingdale Board of Education held a meeting on June 2. After beginning with the presentation of awards to many students in science, mathematics, music and leadership, the board quickly voted to make the discussion regarding changing the name of the East Memorial Elementary School at Mill Lane next on the agenda.

The name change that was discussed was to the East Memorial-Stanley D. Saltzman Elementary School in honor of that school's recently deceased principal. Although there were many community residents and young students of the school who were ready to speak on behalf of the name change, the board called for the vote after only one public comment.

Board President Josephine Macchia then read a moving letter written by a student expressing his admiration for Mr. Saltzman, and the board voted unanimously to change the name. Mr. Faivre, the school's current principal, then asked the board if they would consider switching the order of the name to The Stanley D. Saltzman - East Memorial Elementary School. Many members in the audience expressed their approval of this idea by applauding, but some board members had concerns about this.

Trustee Troy Rosasco said that we should remember why the school was originally named - on behalf of those who gave their lives for their country. He recalled that Saltzman himself had stated that the "Memorial" in the name should be retained. He believed that the original wording was in the correct order. Trustee Dolores Saxton agreed. However, the board voted 4 to 3 to change the order of the names, to the delight of many people in the audience who rose from their seats applauding the action. President Macchia then addressed the children in the audience and said, "Be the very best you can be because Stan will always expect that of you."

Superintendent Gerard Dempsey introduced John Grillo, the school district's architect, who discussed the bond issue that is expected to be before the public this fall. The total expenditure required to move the sixth grade to the middle school; address the existing elementary instructional needs related to present overcrowding; address the general facilities reconstruction needs (including building exteriors, heating and ventilation and athletic fields among others); and address current needs at the high school such as expanding the cafeteria, and renovating the physical education facilities, the lecture hall and the auditorium would be $38,544,320.

These projects are eligible for state building aid, however, at 57.5 percent, and so the net cost to the taxpayer would be $16,381,336. Board Action on the bond issue is expected to be at the July 6 meeting, and Oct. 20 is the tentative date set for the public vote. Rosasco commented that "This is an exciting time for the district to meet pressing needs with this bond issue...to raise to level of education in the district, helping our kids meet the new standards."

There was some discussion about the public information firm that will be hired to notify the community about the details of the bond issue. Assistant Superintendent Fanning discussed the numerous proposals he received from construction management firms that ranged from full management services costing over $1.1 million dollars to the less comprehensive services of a "Clerk of the Works" for approximately $110,000. Administration is in the process of determining the extent of the services this project needs, and will be arranging preliminary meetings with the firms. Dr. Fanning also discussed the approximate costs of a bond counselor (within the $3-$4,000 range plus a percentage), and will be receiving a formal proposal.

During the public participation, a high school student requested that the board consider providing AP Music Theory as a high school course next year because it is important to have when competing for colleges. The problem with running a course such as this, as explained by Dempsey, is the extremely low enrollment - there are only six students who would be taking this course. The board discussed running the course on alternate years to allow interested students a chance to take the course in either 11th or 12th grade in the year that it is provided.

Included in the awards ceremony that took place at this board meeting were the awards presented at the Washington D.C. Music Festivals Competition. The Symphonic Band won 4th place, the Orchestra and Wind Ensemble won 2nd place, and the Barbershop Quartet, Women's Chorus, and Mixed Chorus won 1st place. Farmingdale also won the Judges Sweepstakes Award for having the most rating points when their two highest scoring groups are averaged.

Five performing ensembles also won awards at the NYSSMA Large Organization Festival. East Memorial Band and Chorus each won a Gold award; the High School Symphonic band won a Silver award; the High School Women's Chorus won a Gold award; and the High School Wind Ensemble won a Gold with Distinction award.