The Great Neck Public Schools welcomed back their students on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Superintendent of Schools Ronald Friedman made the rounds the first days and reports an "exciting time" in each of the district's schools. And at the board of education's Sept, 18 meeting, Dr. Friedman further reported that as he and his assistant superintendents visited each building, "it seemed more like mid-November" than the first days of a new school year.

"It's been a great three weeks since opening," Dr. Friedman said, as he explained that much goes into the opening each year. He and his staff do not get the summer off, but put in at least 45 to 50 working days. They have a lot to deal with, including staffing, which began around February and March, and often continues through the opening days if positions suddenly become available. At this time, the district is still staffing, dealing with last minute available positions.

During the summer, staff also looks at class size and enrollment. According to Dr. Friedman, this year enrollment is "almost flat," which, he said, is good news for the district.

The school buildings must also be made ready during summer days and much work is done during July and August. Work this past summer included air-conditioning initiatives, infrastructure repairs, sidewalks, ADA work, and work on the North Middle pool, among other projects.

This summer the school district also addressed safety and security issues. As is standard procedure, buses did dry runs in the days running up to the Sept. 6 opening, and the district spent time looking at traffic and traffic patterns. As well, security officers were in place and ready.

"We have a wonderful staff, supported by our board of education and our community," Dr. Friedman stated. He emphasized that "every single child is important and we work to meet the needs of all of our students." Dr. Friedman went on to address the "kids in the middle," whose needs are most definitely addressed --- with many options, lots of courses and programs, both during the school day and after school.

Proud of the district's many programs and highly successful educational program, Dr. Friedman said that "We have a commitment to pre-K through high school, as well as a large adult education population; we serve ages 3 to 83, and maybe beyond."

And for the future, the superintendent noted that there are new things each school year. "If you don't go forward, you go backwards," he said.

As he concluded his opening day report, Dr. Friedman addressed the issue of the new district contracts. The teachers' contract had not been signed at the end of the 2005-2006 school year, but was negotiated successfully during the summer. "We worked out a tough contract with the union," Dr. Friedman said, adding, "and now we have a win/win situation."

At a later point during the meeting, Board of Education President Barbara Berkowitz reported that the union and the district had "negotiated in good faith" all summer.