The Garden City Board of Education recognized students Christina Costa and Kyle Smith at its Feb. 8 meeting for their accomplishments in the Intel Science Contest.

Costa and Smith were semifinalists in the national contest, which was previously called Westinghouse.

Board Vice President Dr. Nancy Fredericks praised the students. "I think they are proving themselves worthy of all the time and effort we put into them," she said. "We're very proud of them."

Superintendent Dr. Lee Wilson praised the students and the New York educational system, which produced a large number of contestants.

"These two youngsters were two of 300 recognized for this event," he said. "Nationally, 1/4 of the students were from Long Island and about 1/2 were from New York."

Both of the students' projects involved the environment. Costa worked with sandworms, examining how a common environmental pollutant and carcinogen, Benzo(a)pyrene, enters the food chain. She demonstrated that the pollutant is absorbed in the tissue of the sandworm, for example, and then has the potential to move up the food chain. Smith conducted a study of the possibility of converting stormwater basins into bird sanctuaries. Using the Garden City Bird Sanctuary model, he demonstrated that sumps can provide a habitat for native and migratory species.

In other news, John Sullivan reported to the Board that the middle school gym, which has been closed for construction, is set to open. Sullivan said the project came in about $8,000 under budget, even with extra work done to the lights, ceiling and floor.

Last week's Board meeting also marked the first day residents could give their input into budget matters. Several parents requested additional administrative staff at both Stratford and Stewart Schools. Parents, noting the increased population at both schools, said that while the staff is doing an excellent job, an assistant principal at each school would be helpful.

"I think that the administration has done an exemplary job, but it's like a balloon being stretched," Jane Turchiano said. "Eventually it's going to burst."