Residents arrived early at the Feb. 16 Island Trees Board of Education meeting. They buzzed amongst themselves about their children, television shows they'd be missing that night and the impending decision regarding the renaming of the Island Trees Middle School to the Richard N. Segerdahl Middle School.

The board voted 4-2 to revert the June 30, 2004 decision that rededicated the Island Trees Middle School to then-retiring Superintendent Richard N. Segerdahl.

Board President Robert Condela began the Wednesday meeting with a PowerPoint presentation, stating what the board's intentions were when they voted unanimously to rededicate the school.

"Our intention was to honor Richard N. Segerdahl for 30 years of exemplary service to the district, including 20 years as superintendent," Condela explained. "Under his leadership, the entire community has made great strides."

Condela continued on to list the district's achievements under Segerdahl's leadership, including lowering taxes, making numerous building renovations and enriching school programs. He also mentioned the all-day kindergarten program and Island Trees Dollars for Scholars, where "hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised by the graduating seniors."

To counter, Condela, a Vietnam Veteran himself, stressed that "the board's intention was not to diminish the honor bestowed upon the veterans or create division within the community." Once this division became apparent, Superintendent James Parla comprised a forum of community members to discuss possible solutions. The board then met with that group and it was agreed that they would present a new plan.

This plan involved taking the black Richard N. Segerdahl Middle School lettering off the side of the building facing Wantagh Avenue and better highlighting the white Island Trees Memorial School sign that has hung on the building for over 50 years.

"We want to determine how best to highlight the fact that the building is a memorial to our veterans," Condela said.

The board also suggested implementing programs in the schools to ensure students are aware of the significance of the word "memorial." Lastly, was the board's proposal of taking down all wooden signs that bear the name Island Trees Middle School and replacing them with one large sign that would read "Island Trees Memorial Building housing the Richard N. Segerdahl Middle School, Island Trees Senior Citizens, Island Trees Staff Day Care and Saturday Academy."

While attendees applauded the first initiative to remove the Segerdahl name from the building, they were vehemently opposed to the latter part of the proposal.

"Your proposal is partly acceptable, but not totally acceptable," one resident commented once the floor was open to the public. "I think you should reconsider."

"You are changing things without changing anything," resident John Kirk said. "Put a plaque outside of the gymnasium instead."

Another woman challenged each point made by the board regarding Segerdahl's enhancements to the district, while a Raven Street resident and Vietnam War veteran said "I think we need to keep the name of the school 'Memorial'."

Brian Kelty of Farmedge Road said he didn't think the board was taking the public's comments seriously.

"A mistake was made and how you are going to fix it, is your problem," Kelty said.

After being initially delayed by a Wantagh man who was protesting that he wasn't able to speak of his non-resident status, a representative of the United Teachers Federation Association of Island Trees, Karen Olsen, read her letter to the board.

"We would like to thank the board for all their time and energy they put into this," Olsen began. "It is the union's wish that we can leave this issue behind and move forward with providing our children with the best possible education." Olsen ended by noting, "We appreciate each and every one of you."

After a 45-minute caucus upstairs in the Gallow School, the board addressed attendees with a resolution. They reconsidered its action on June 30, 2004 as if it has never been made or approved. The school's name would be reverted to Island Trees Middle School, the way it was prior to June 30, 2004.

"The building is the Island Trees Memorial School," trustee Peter Ray explained. "It says Island Trees Middle School because it houses the middle school."

After a roar of applause from the crowd on the decision, Parla called roll on account of the district clerk being absent from the meeting. Condela and trustee Peter Tauss were the only members to decline the resolution.

"I respect everybody and what they had to say," Condela said. "I think that the proposal we came up with was a compromise."

Vice President Carl Bonsignore voted yes but said it was because it "tore him apart to see this community split."

"We need to spend more time on our children," Bonsignore stated.

Ray voted in favor of the resolution, however, he commented that "some of the people who said we don't care about the vets, shame on you, because you don't know us at all."

A lone proponent voiced his opinion near the end of the meeting. The resident said "there are about 10,000 houses in the Island Trees district and about a half of a percent opposed the renaming and the board knuckled on it."

When the board attempted to move on to new business, the crowd continued to chatter amongst themselves. There was confusion over the school's name going forward. This group had been fighting to have the school's name reverted and it was. Prior to it being rededicated to Richard N. Segerdahl, the school was named the Island Trees Middle School. The group was upset that the word "memorial" would not be included. Some inquired if that would be considered in the future.

The board responded that they would still like to try and implement their other suggestions in the presented plan, including highlighting the white lettering and devising a memorial education program.

Parla then delivered his superintendent's report, congratulating Island Trees High School for placing seventh out of 55 in the county at the Science Olympiads. Island Trees Middle School also competed and placed second. They will be attending the state competition in April.

He also congratulated several athletic individuals for various achievements and urged the community to see the high school's performance of Godspell in the newly renovated auditorium.

One parent addressed the board, inquiring about the status of the search for a new principal at the high school. Currently, Dr. George Goldstein is the interim principal and will remain so until the end of the 2004-2005 school year. The board said that the search committee will reconvene on Monday, Feb. 28 regarding the issue, as one of their two final candidates decided to remain in their district. Parla said it wasn't fair to only present one candidate to the board for consideration, therefore an advertisement was placed in The New York Times that past Sunday, seeking more candidates.

"Hopefully, because of the time of year, we will get a larger pool of candidates," Parla said.

The next Island Trees Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30 at 8 p.m. at the Gallow School.