Two years ago the residents of Levittown approved a Bond referendum providing for the expansion of the Wisdom Lane Middle School. This included enlargement of the cafeteria, 10 classrooms and a full size auditorium. For the last five years, the district has been struggling to find space in the schools for the ever growing population. The expansion of Wisdom is the second step of this process that began with the re-opening of the East Broadway Elementary School and will be continuing with additional classrooms on four of the other elementary buildings.

Funding, designing and building schools is a complex and time-consuming process in New York State. The time from bond referendum to occupancy can often exceed three years. Happily, Wisdom is proceeding at a faster pace. The cafeteria which was planned as stage one of the expansion was completed and in use for the 1998-1999 school year. Ground breaking for the classrooms and auditorium began early in June and construction is scheduled to be completed this winter, with some of the classrooms ready for occupancy this fall.

Wisdom is gaining more than just space. The library media center is being moved and redesigned, science labs are being upgraded and so are the vocational programs. While this work is covered by the bond referendum, the district has committed to an ongoing program of capital improvement financed through the annual school budget and reimbursed by the state up to 75 percent. This yearly budgeting is designed to provide for the continuing upkeep of the Levittown schools and any future expansion as might be needed without having to ask residents to approve yet another bond.

Levittown is a vibrant and growing community. Families are moving here and increasing every year. It is impossible to walk or jog through the community without passing children at play or mothers or dads wheeling baby carriages. Over the last 20 years, the Levittown schools have continually improved both their academic status and their facilities. New York State reports increases across all academic areas from test results through college acceptances. Just as the community has grown and developed, so have their schools; from a one room Little Red School House still in place on Jerusalem Avenue, to 13 school buildings and the largest district in Nassau County.