At the Sept. 12 meeting, the board of education of the Floral Park-Bellerose School District voted unanimously to lend public support to the efforts of Citizens Against Railroad Expansion (C.A.R.E.) in its opposition to the Long Island Rail Road's so-called Third Rail Project.

The trustees of the board of education appreciate the leadership demonstrated by C.A.R.E. and the village governments of Floral Park and Bellerose in voicing the communities' concerns about the negative impact of this project as well as the many remaining questions and issues LIRR management has failed to address.

The board of education's concerns, which relate specifically to the potential negative impact of the Third Rail Project on the school district, are significant and include the following:

• Due to the proximity of both elementary schools to the railroad tracks, the passing trains and the prolonged sounding of the horns already cause vibrations and disruptive noise. An increase in the railroad traffic and noise will severely disrupt instruction, particularly when the windows are open during the fall, spring and summer months. It should be noted that the school district has an active summer school program involving approximately 380 students throughout July and early August. Classrooms on the north side of Floral Park-Bellerose School are most severely impacted. The school building is less than 25 yards from the current tracks now.

• The possible condemnation of property along the tracks would result in serious facilities problems for the district should the Floral Park-Bellerose School property, the district's bus yard and /or parking lots at both schools be in jeopardy. The condemnation of other residential and commercial properties would decrease the overall assessed value of taxable property in the school district, resulting in a staggering tax impact on school district residents and businesses.

• The construction period would pose health concerns relating to noise and dust pollution at both elementary schools. During the warmer months, classroom windows must remain open due to rising temperatures inside the buildings. The noise and dust would necessitate closing the windows, especially in classrooms facing the tracks. This would create a dangerous health hazard for the students and staff and render many rooms unusable.

• Despite the fact that at the June 16 public hearing LIRR personnel stated that the tunnel adjacent to Floral Park-Bellerose School would remain open during construction, confirmation from independent engineering consultants would be required to attest to the tunnel's integrity and further assure the safety of pedestrians, most of whom are children. Should the use of the tunnel prove not to be viable, the district would be required to transport approximately 200 additional students to Floral Park-Bellerose School at considerable contracting and personnel costs.

On June 20, 2005, Dr. William McDonald, former superintendent of the Floral Park-Bellerose School District, wrote to LIRR President James Dermody requesting a meeting to provide an opportunity for the board of education to directly communicate the above and other concerns to LIRR management. To date, the school district has not received a reply to Dr. McDonald's request.

Please add the Floral Park-Bellerose School District Board of Education to the list of organizations supporting C.A.R.E. in its opposition to the LIRR Third Rail Project.

David Fowler

President, Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education