On Feb 11, the Glen Cove Board of Education held a public hearing on the possible sale of Coles School. A second public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25 at the middle school auditorium. The sale of Coles School needs voter approval and the public hearings are for the purpose of public feedback. At the Feb. 11 public hearing, the concept of using the Coles School property as a new home for the Glen Cove Public Library, initially proposed by John McKay, director of the library, garnered more and more support from each speaker stating opinion on the proposed sale. When Councilman Michael Norman spoke, he said," I have received several calls from members of the community who want to see Coles School maintain its presence in the community. They are very passionate about it and committed to it. And the community is right. It can be used as a community resource in the area of maybe a library or some of the other plans that the library has." Councilman Norman continued and said the city is interested in the opportunity to sit down and talk about the possibility of the city becoming involved in negotiations with the board's intent to sell the building. "I think there's a way taxpayers can benefit both ways...the building can maintain its presence, be part of the community, and continue to serve its educational purpose or maybe address some of the expansion purposes of the library," said Councilman Norman.

Coles School is currently leased to the Solomon Schechter School. The five-year lease expires in 2003. In the first year of the lease, Solomon Schechter paid $200,000, and in the following years, per the lease, Solomon Schechter has paid annually $200,000 plus the CPI of the region. Their current payment now stands at $225,000. At the time of the public hearing, the Board of Ed did not have a signed contract for the sale of the school. Board president Vito Abbondandolo did say that the board has an offer and it was from someone "not outside a school." During a recent board meeting discussion of the possible re-negotiation of Solomon Schechter's lease, it was mentioned that Solomon Schechter would be interested in purchasing the school.

During the course of the public hearing, Mr. Abbondandolo said that the appraisal of Coles School and property came in at approximately $2.7 million. In 1995, the appraisal came in at $2.65 million. The Coles School property has seen a number of proposed uses once it was declared surplus by the Glen Cove School Board in April 1994. These include a Grand Union supermarket, two apartment buildings, and an offer from Nassau County in 1995 to relocate the Glen Cove Day Care program. For many different reasons, none of these ideas came to fruition.

Counsel to the board of education Carol Hoffman clarified the ownership of Coles School. She explained the deed is owned by the city, however, intervening state legislation over the years has conveyed ownership to the Glen Cove School District. While the school was built on property bought from the Coles family by the city in 1929, in 1948 the city negotiated with area homeowners for the rest of what is now Coles School property. In 1950 New York State designated the school district as a separate entity from the city, and transferred ownership of any property used by the school district to the school district.

The Assistant to the Superintendent for Business, Larry Blake

addressed what it would cost if the school district took back Coles School at the end of Solomon Schechter's lease, and made the necessary renovations under State Education's regulations to render the school safe and usable for district students. The board concluded that it is not cost effective to re-open and use the school. The total cost of renovation, staffing and recurring costs over a five-year period would be $3.2 million. If the school were to be sold, the probable use of the proceeds would be to refurbish the other school properties. Many improvements need to be made, such as windows at the high school and Gribbin School, and new roofs at the middle school, Connolly, Landing and Deasy.

Mr. Blake reported that demographics do not justify reopening the school. Glen Cove has a present enrollment of 3428. The board's study of projected enrollment estimates three possible scenarios by 2009: a low estimate of -40, an average estimate of +156, and a high estimate of +406.

The elementary schools will be the most needy, and if the high estimate holds "there is plenty of acreage at Gribbin and Connolly, and buildings can be added to them." Adding 5 classrooms would cost about $1 million, it would be a one time cost and there would be no recurring costs.

Mr. Blake summed up by explaining that these facts come from a volunteer committee of local professionals which was appointed by the board earlier this year. The committee submitted a building condition survey this past December. In the survey, the committee reported that the cost of repairs to Coles school far exceed the cost value and the district's demographics do not justify reopening the building for district use, whether Coles is sold or not.

Rosemary Dilgard asked if the planned 254 AvalonBay apartments were considered in the board's demographic study. Board member Janet Bates-Wilkens said she had spoken with the developers and that the apartments were mostly studios and one bedroom apartments, allowing for a maximum of maybe 30 additional students. "Yuppies can have children in a one bedroom apartment," Ms. Dilgard answered.

Vincent Suozzi repeated what he has often repeated. He is not against the sale of Coles School, but with considerations, such as assurance that the district does not need it, and assurance of its use in the future. He asked if the board intends to sell to the highest bidder. Mr. Abbondandolo said anyone is free to make an offer. Mr. Suozzi asked if the board was planning to sell to someone who would build homes on the property. He was told that was not a possibility right now. Mr. Suozzi continued, "Mr. Bondar [a member of the Facilities Committee] suggested that the rear of the property can be opened with a cul de sac and between six and eight homes can be built on the property. Mr. Abbondandolo replied that that issue is not being discussed right now. Mr. Suozzi continued, "Is it the board's intent to sell Coles for non-school use?"? Mr. Abbondandolo said that "so far no one outside a school has made an offer. If such an offer is made I can answer you then. Right now it is a hypothetical question." Turning to the board's attorney, Mr. Suozzi remarked, "Then I'll ask Ms. Hoffman a real question. While reading from a copy of Education Law and admitting he's not a lawyer, Mr. Suozzi continued, "In the succession of the Coles School property, the intent of the law, to my understanding, is that the property be used for educational purposes in perpetuity. Read Article 51." Ms. Hoffman replied that "in terms of the law, that reference was in regard to what property is now owned by the district. Future use would be dependent on negotiation of contract and title. The board is currently doing a full title search." "Read Article 51 again, please," Mr. Suozzi requested. He concluded by saying that selling the school for non-educational purposes would destroy the whole reason and the intention of the law when the school was transferred from city to the Department of Education.

John McKay, director of the Glen Cove library, next stood to speak. He read from a statement that he said had the support of both the library trustees and the city. The statement outlined "perceptions of the Coles School future benefit to Glen Cove." He began with an overview of the 54 public libraries in Nassau County, explaining that public demand has pressed libraries to make available resources such as dedicated space for programs and uses that have become standard across the county, and acknowledged that the Glen Cove library has not been able to respond to the demand as "it lacks the space and facilities." He continued, "If relocated to the Coles School, the city would have the opportunity to make the library really work. The gymnasium could contain all the stacks on a main floor plus two possible tiers of balcony. The central floor space would allow convertibility for many after hour events, especially as the school contains a stage. The classroom portion would house offices along with meeting rooms, study spaces, listening rooms, etc....The city would have bought itself future space in which it could grow." He added that the present location of the library at the corner of Glen Cove Road could be returned to the tax roles, and if sold, would create income.

Anthony Petrella, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, and no stranger to public hearings and school board meetings, lamented the way the district has closed schools in the past, mentioning the South School, which was left in disrepair for years. "Someone came along and took it over - and now look at it. Look at that school now being used as a facility for education. It's a sad, sad, sad situation to see that happen." He also questioned the board on their statement concerning future enrollment. "Have you checked with the hospitals? The birth rate is going up. Don't fool yourself. And don't give us highs and lows and whatever. We need space for education of our children." Mr. Petrella concluded by asking the board to "please think carefully."

Zefy Christopoulos stressed, among other points, that the neighborhood surrounding Coles School is the community that can best be served by a learning institution -for after school classes, citizenship learning, ESL [English as a Second Language] and such. Ms. Christopoulos also noted that the only open space in that area for children to play is on the Coles School property. "It needs to remain a learning institution, not sold to a developer to become another famous cul de sac with six homes, which would mean more kids for our schools."

Mike Mahr, president of the library's board of trustees, added to John McKay's statement, saying that the two groups should work together on getting the library relocated to Coles. He asked that the board "slow down, discuss everything, and give us a chance to talk."

Marvin Isaacson commented that when dealing with the board "...the question is always about allocation of money...all these repairs...you should have money put aside for that rainy day. All we hear is that you have been given mandates-now do what's right."

Brenda Weck implored the board not to do things "the way you are always accused of doing them-fast, without input." She noted that if Coles is made the new home of the library, the old library might be utilized as a teen center. "Our kids have nowhere to go in the city. Give Mike and John a chance to talk." Mr. Abbondandolo said he very much would like to meet with the city and the library. An informal poll of the board showed no objection from other members.

Janet Blatt told the board, "You have a wonderful opportunity to make this city a world better than it is now. Once you move to sign a contract, whether or not people vote for it, you'll rework it. Remember that once it's gone, it's gone. Other than Coles School, and the space behind Coles, there is no place in this city, in a fairly good location, to put a modern library and make space for our youth...I remember someone on the city council last year say his objective was to bring programs to the youth. Well, the youth is collecting outside with nowhere to go."

Miles Sibell, a Glen Cove taxpayer, applauded the board's agreement by informal vote to talk to the city and find more creative uses for the Coles School property. However, he felt that in order to have a full relaxed talk with the city, it must be understood that it would be done with no signed contract to any other party. Ms. Hoffman stated that the board felt so strongly about the importance of public input, these meetings are being held with no contract signed. On the subject of the property's appraisal, Mr. Sibell asked for a description of the term "highest and best use." Ms. Hoffman said that the "highest and best use" would involve development, according to the current appraisal. Mr. Sibell concluded with his belief that "if land is used for valuable public purpose, I, as a commercial property owner, would benefit, because that would make the entire community more valuable.