After careful deliberation, Levittown School Superintendent Dr. Herman Sirois announced that the school board has approved the district for a Police Science/Emergency Medical Technician course.

While some members in attendance at the school board meeting held earlier this month felt that the course should not be offered, Dr. Sirois felt that it offers opportunities for students in many ways.

"The education and background provided would be beneficial to everyone, as it will include medical service, security and police work," he said. "It would be a service to the community and it would provide more people with skills of emergency services. It would be positive for the people."

Yet, some residents, like Noreen Meyer, have varying opinions on the course.

While Meyer believes it to be a good idea, she does not feel that the school should be offering it. "Something else should be offered, but this is not the course," she said. "I think that if the students are really interested, they can volunteer at the Wantagh/Levittown Ambulance Corps or even start as a cadet and work their way up."

While Meyer has some reservations, the board members and members of the Levittown Fire Department feel that the course is a positive addition to the district. Vice President Diane Shapiro feels that the course is good for both the community and the students. "It can lead them into different occupations from this program and can lead them into many careers."

Brian Holt, first deputy chief of the Levittown Fire Department, read a letter on behalf of Fire Chief John Rottkamp, a current EMT since 1985.

According to Rottkamp, the Levittown Fire Department, as well as the Levittown Fire District, have made aggressive attempts to gain more EMT's into the department. He feels that the class would benefit the students and the Levittown community.

Rottkamp contacted VEEB (Vocational Education and Extension Board) and spoke with Chief Frank Chester of the Emergency Medical Services Division. Chester informed Rottkamp that the Plainview School District has had this program in effect successfully for the past 11 years. The Jericho and West Hempstead school districts have also participated in this program and in the last two years, the Long Beach School District has had 10 new EMT's join the local volunteer fire departments in the area.

The EMT, which is part of the Police Science course, deals with health, revival and emergency help. Students who sign up for this course must complete a certain amount of hours to receive a certificate in EMT. The Police Science is a forensic course that educates students on security, police work and investigations.

In determining the stability of this course, it was constantly monitored by Audre Pullo, director of career and technical education at the Gerald R. Claps Career & Technical Center. It is her duty to evaluate the courses that the school district should be offering.

She recommends courses suitable for a timely job market, in addition to the courses that are not readily filled by regular academic programs and colleges. The vocational program in the district offers students the opportunity to go directly into the work force or continued education in college and schools that are vocational oriented.

"There is a huge student interest in the course and it is the times that we live in that students should be introduced to emergency service careers, including EMTs to police officers to joining the armed forces," said Pullo.

Approximately 18 students from both the MacArthur and Division Avenue High Schools and 19 other districts from Nassau County have already signed up for the two-year course that will include more than 1,000 hours. The core sponsor for the course is the Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy.

For the first year, there will be a part-time certified teacher in the classroom. According to Pullo, the teacher is a recently retired New York City police sergeant, a member of the Wantagh Fire Department and a licensed EMT. He will teach the students for half a day, and the rest of the day the students will attend his or her designated high school. For the second year, there will be a full-time certified teacher in the classroom teaching both the first and second-year students.

Resident Andy Booth expressed concern on the ages of the students who enroll. Concerned with what will happen to the students who are not 18 years old by the time of the certification test, Pullo reassured residents on the issue.

"Students who are currently enrolled will be 18 years old by the time of the certification test," she said. "Yet, for the students who enroll in the course who will not be 18 by August 31, 2005, they will receive a CFR license or a Certified First Response license. Either way it is a great opportunity for the kids."

As the Levittown School District is approaching a new academic year, the students and board members are looking forward to a productive year. "We are thrilled about it," said Dr. Sirois.

At their annual organizational meeting on July 2, the Levittown Board of Education elected James Moran as president and Diane Shapiro as vice president for the 2003-2004 academic year. Gina Interdonato will serve as secretary and Susan Hlavenka will serve as treasurer.

"As the new president, Moran has considerable experience on the board of education," said Dr. Sirois. "He will do a fine job and the commitment and goals that are in progress will continue to be as strong as ever. The residents responded to the budget needs and the community is in fine shape. In spite of the loss of state aid, we are in a strong financial position, which is very good for the community and I look forward to this progress continuing."

Shapiro, who has been a board member for 13 years and re-elected vice president for a second year, looks forward to continued success. "I want to make sure that we have quality education in our school, and I want it to get better and better."

In other business, the Board of Education:

Appointed Maria Hughes district clerk for the coming school year at an annual salary of $7,000;

Appointed Kathleen Aldous assistant treasurer for the coming school year at no additional salary, with the bond fixed at $500,000;

Appointed Ingerman and Smith, LLP attorneys for the school district;

Designated the Levittown Tribune as one of its official newspapers;

Appointed Miller, Lily and Pierce external auditor;

Appointed Barbara Reiser internal auditor;

Appointed Dr. Salvatore Corso and Dr. Jagan Pahuja medical inspectors at an annual salary of $13,330.55 each;

Appointed Partners in Safety as medical review officers to provide individual drug and alcohol tests at a fee of $41 per person.