The Levittown Property Owners Association met on March 20 with President Jim Morrow presiding. Immediately, and for most of the meeting, the discussion centered on the March 16 front page Levittown Tribune story on the proposal by the Levittown Board of Education for yet another bond, this one a hefty $34.125 million. Vice President Gary Fisch has volunteered to serve on the bond committee and will keep the LPOA informed on developments. From his initial observations, he believes that many of the listed changes, improvements and expansions recommended in the proposal are unneeded, though some are valid.

The bond proposals include: conversion of the Levittown Memorial Education Center into a central or districtwide full day kindergarten which would require the construction of 40 new classrooms (at $16 million), and hiring 15-20 additional teachers for the 600 or so children, plus purchasing new buses, with the additional drivers. Technical and vocational classes, and administrative offices now at Memorial would be relocated. Other proposals include a $6 million tab for added classrooms at MacArthur, $750,000 for replacement of windows and roofs at Division, Salk, and Wisdom Lane, etc. Because of reduced mileage for busing privileges, the purchase of new buses and hiring drivers at $1.6 million is included. Also listed is conversion of high school schedules to nine-period days to serve student needs, requiring approximately 27 additional teachers, at $2 million yearly. These additions and changes are made necessary by increasing enrollment which is now at the elementary level but eventually to be felt at the middle and high school levels. And inevitably, the coming year's budget will also go up.

Comments from the audience on the bond proposals were almost totally negative. It was pointed out that the two previous bonds approved by voters in the early 1990s were still unpaid for.

The idea of one central, districtwide kindergarten met with most negative criticism. Comments were: "Bus little kids instead of letting them walk to schools near home where older siblings also attend? Making their day longer by busing? Starting school is traumatic enough, but busing them far from home makes this more so." Some felt the full-day kindergarten was just "taxpayer subsidized babysitting", not state mandated or necessary, while an opposing view was that Levittown is one of the few districts around without the full day, and full day classes in kindergarten "increase property values." Another speaker mentioned that using Memorial is unnecessary, that Gardiners Avenue or Abbey Lane elementary schools could be used, that "it's better to utilize the buildings we have now than to create buildings which will be empty in the future." Another aspect beside the added expense mentioned was the possibility of accidents and increased air pollution, but most felt long distance busing would be a hardship for children at this young age.

The central kindergarten idea was rejected outright both economically and socially because, as succinctly stated, "It makes more sense to add classrooms to existing buildings which makes busing unnecessary, and attending the neighborhood elementary school, a Levittown way of life, is better for the children." As someone remarked: "The board was emboldened on this because they were able to blow the past two bonds past the voters." Also, as President Morrow noted, "There's a lot of apathy." We agreed to invite Levittown Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sirois to discuss the bond proposal and budget at the April 17 meeting.

Another school topic discussed was the disparity of performance levels in the district's two high schools, Division and MacArthur. Figures which were stated show that 68 percent of MacArthur students receive Regents diplomas to Division's 53 percent; also, that middle schools perform below the Nassau County average, with Salk students doing better than Wisdom Lane. "If both middle and high schools have the same curriculum, what is the reason for the considerable disparity in performance levels?", was asked. Another questioned why the "retirement incentives" (costing over a million) were budgeted for without a public discussion or vote. The incentives would be 60-65 percent of salary.

Construction of senior housing at Gardiners Avenue again came up. To change the area from business district zoning would be, for the purpose of school taxes, downzoning, as golden age pays minimal or no taxes. According to Town Councilman Gary Hudes, the applicant builder plans about 34 units, with a horseshoe-shaped entry and exit onto Gardiners Avenue. Hudes also noted that another car dealership is considering purchasing the area. If senior condos are built, they would be offered first to Levittown residents, then to Town of Hempstead, then to Nassau County residents; certain income levels would have to be met.

Councilman Hudes said that the beautification improvements on the turnpike are under way. They will extend from Wantagh Parkway to the Seaford/Oyster Bay Parkway. Hudes is serving as coordinator, working with the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, and New York State in this joint project.

Nassau County Legislator Dennis Dunne announced that New York State is considering state-wide banning of cell phone use while driving. He also noted that the county legislature has passed a law requiring under 14-year-olds to wear helmets when riding scooters; a $50 fine is considered. Dunne abstained from the vote, stating "People must have responsibility," and that this constituted "over-legislation." He also said he would give more information on the date at the next LPOA meeting for the upcoming Dollars for Scholars Dance, at $10 per person.

The LPOA will invite Levittown School Superintendent Dr. Herman A. Sirois as guest speaker at the next meeting on April 17.