At their July 13 Board of Education Meeting, board members received numerous requests from teachers, faculty members, co-workers, parents, and students of Garden City to keep Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus in Garden City and to not let her leave to work in another district.

Kalafus, director of more varsity teams and sports programs than any other athletic director in Nassau County school district has been bringing success to Garden City sports teams for years. Described as a "one woman team" by many residents, she has rarely missed a game or event her teams have played in. Over the years Kalafus has attended weekend events, programs, and put together various activities such as helping children in special education programs, and she has done so voluntarily. Where directors in other districts have the help of at least one if not two assistants and secretaries, Kalafus does it all with just the aid of one receptionist.

Her dedication and tireless efforts were clearly presented by those who don't want to lose her at the board meeting. During her time in Garden City, Kalafus has received much deserved respect and admiration not only from her students, but also from parents, colleagues, and employees of other school districts.

One board meeting participant, a junior varsity baseball coach, described Kalafus as coordinated, able to juggle various sports teams to success each school year. More importantly, although Garden City is often ranked highest in many sports categories, she has been able to teach her students that there is more to life than winning, she has taught them the love of the game, and the values of leadership.

"This year in athletics has been one of our greatest," the participant explained to the board, "and I have been at different schools during the course of the year and am constantly asked 'how do you do it? How does Garden City always win? What's the secret?' Nancy is part of our winning secret."

Pat Kennedy, mother of five children attending Garden City schools said that she met Kalafus while she was the athletic director at C.W. Post. Kennedy urged the board to realize that athletics and physical education itself is a huge part of any school program, and that a district such as Garden City, who does so well in them, should not feel it can afford to lose such an asset.

"Nancy goes above and beyond the call of duty," Kennedy said. "She should be rewarded for all that she has done."

John Daley, father of two sons who play for Garden City Baseball teams, said that Kalafus has enforced a quality of leadership in every team member she has encountered, regardless of the sport they play. He described her as a unique individual, one who has always surpassed her expected duties.

"One very important factor that we cannot forget is the fact that she is a woman, where many or most athletic directors are men," Daley explained. "She is an excellent role model to women athletes."

John Donnelly, a recent graduate of Garden City High School said that he can't remember a baseball or football game where he hasn't seen Kalafus cheering in the bleachers.

"I worked with her at a program helping kids in special education. I didn't even recognize the kids from my own class who were in special Ed until she started this program. I wouldn't have even known about them if it wasn't for her," Donnelly explained. "Now I'm thinking about looking into that more and even possibly pursuing it in college. I wouldn't have done that if it weren't for Nancy."

Others who spoke out at the meeting asked the board to realize that Kalafus is not asking the school for thousands of dollars, that she is simply asking for what she feels she deserves for all that she has done.

"Other school districts give the athletic director twice the money for about half the responsibility, since they have at least one assistant helping them run things. Nancy does it all on her own, and she isn't getting as much as they are," one resident stated. "Especially in this district, we can't afford to lose somebody like her."

Residents told the board that they realize there is a very important decision to be made here regarding Kalafus, and urged them not to make the wrong one. One resident believed that speakers were leaving out the most important issue of all of this, the children.

"We can't forget the kids. When you think about this, think about what a person like Nancy has done for our kids. Many of them are choosing to go into athletic programs when looking into colleges, and think about how many of our graduates have been accepted to competitive schools based on their athletic achievements," the resident said.

"We have to realize that the students are a direct reflection of her and what she has accomplished for our schools."

Board member Ken Monaghan explained to the audience that if it seems as if the board is not responding to their comments and pleas, it's because legally they can't.

"This issue has been brought to our attention on numerous occasions, especially this week," he said. "All we can do legally is guarantee that we are not only listening but that we also hear what you are saying and that everything stated will certainly be taken into consideration."