Tensions ran high at the March 25 Island Trees School Board meeting where Megan's Law was the topic of conversation. Amid the yelling and fighting, many questions were answered and rumors dispelled.

There were two major agenda items planned for this meeting. The first of these items was passing a resolution on how future sex offender notifications would be handled. This was then to be followed up with a question and answer period before moving on to the next agenda item. It was during this portion of the meeting that tensions ran high and a fight erupted. There were approximately 150 people present for this item.

Island Trees passed a resolution stating that, "The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility for the health and safety of the students enrolled within the Island Trees School District and for the youngsters receiving services or participating in programs or events on school district property. In light of that responsibility, the board is desirous of taking appropriate precautionary measures in situations where the district has been advised by law enforcement officials that a convicted sex offender resides within the district's geographic boundaries." The resolution goes on to define how it will go about this notification: "When school officials are advised by law enforcement officials that an individual convicted of a sexual offense resides within the school district, the district shall give notice in accordance herewith in order to minimize the possibility that the released sex offender will come in contact with school-age children. Furthermore, the district believes that cooperation with the law enforcement officials will best promote and protect the safety and well being of its students.

It is the policy of the board of education that whenever information is received from law enforcement officials under the Sex Offender Registration Act that a level 2 or Level 3 registered convicted sex offender is residing within the Island Trees School District that appropriate information should be disseminated to building principals, central office administrators, and other appropriate district personnel (PTA presidents, bus drivers, athletic coaches, security personnel, and supervisors of school-related activities)." The resolution states that copies of the information that the district receives will also be shared with the headmaster of the South Shore Christian School and the director of the Island Trees Library. This information will also be mailed to all parents of students currently enrolled in the district's schools and to the parents of those students who are on the district's list of non-public school textbook recipients and the users of non-public school transportation. In answer to a question from a grandparent Superintendent of Schools Richard Segerdahl said that they will keep a list of people other than parents who need to be notified. Cases like this should be brought to the attention of the superintendent, who will keep a list of these people who need to be informed when a mailing goes out. The resolution ends with the statement that individuals who receive notice of a convicted sex offender moving into the area should inform appropriate school officials if they observe an individual whose description matches that of a released sex offender on school property.

In order to help the town understand a little more about what could and couldn't be done under Megan's Law Segerdahl asked Inspector Tony Rocco, from the 8th precinct and Peter Duryea, the bureau chief of parole on Long Island to answer any questions that residents might have. Parents had many questions about rumors that they had heard about the specific individual who had recently moved into the area. While they could not comment specifically on this particular individual because he had been convicted before Megan's Law went into effect, Rocco and Duryea were able to dispel many rumors that had been flying around. Some of these rumors were that he had broken parole or that he tried to remove his electronic bracelets. These rumors were unfounded and the officers were able to ease parents' minds on those counts. Segerdahl cleared up the rumor that Island Trees was being sued by this individual, which is untrue, and stated that he had been in contact with the individual's lawyer, who supported the district's handling of the notification.

Other questions had to do with the monitoring of this individual. The officers reminded everyone that they could not comment on this individual and that everyone was better off if they did not comment on the electronic bracelets in general. Many parents were very upset because they felt that the rights of a convicted sex offender were being more highly regarded than their rights as parents. One parent said, "I pay my taxes, I don't break the law so I have my rights." Another parent said, of the sex offenders, "They have more rights than I do."

One parent, who lives next door to the individual was concerned that there were not more police around the neighborhood. Rocco replied that, "this individual is easily the most watched individual, between parole and the police department, in this community." This same parent claimed that the individual hangs out his window and sings to her daughter. At this point in the meeting chaos broke out because the mother of the convicted sex offender started screaming that the parent was a liar and that he was with her 24 hours a day and did not hang out the window. People started yelling at her and at each other and control was not restored to the meeting for several minutes. Segerdahl threatened to end this portion of the meeting if everyone did not calm down. The meeting continued in a somewhat orderly fashion.

One issue that was raised by the superintendent, the police officers, and parents was the need to educate children. Rocco reminded parents that they are only informed about sex offenders in their neighborhood and that children could come in contact with sex offenders anywhere, such as the mall or the arcade. He says that these offenders can pick a vulnerable child out of the crowd so that is why it is so important to educate your children. Children who know how to avoid any dangerous situations are not vulnerable to pedophiles.

Segerdahl feels that the meeting went well and was well received by parents. He believes that the more information that people have, the better they can handle it. Many concerns were addressed at this meeting and he feels that parents are a lot more at ease now. He said that it was a meeting worth holding. According to Segerdahl, "it was a fairly civil, although emotional, meeting."

While many questions could not be answered parents walked out of the meeting with more information about Megan's Law and the notification process for Island Trees.