A special meeting was called by the Levittown Board of Education on Jan. 25, in addition to the previously scheduled planning session for that night, at Levittown Memorial Education Center. The only item on the night's agenda was to settle the long existing decision over the Volunteer Firefighter and Volunteer Ambulance Worker Exemption. The board approved the proposal by a slim margin of 4-3.

As listed, the proposal said, "Resolved, that the Levittown Board of Education take into consideration and adopt the Volunteer Firefighter and Volunteer Ambulance Worker Exemption as indicated in Section 466-c of the Real Property Tax Law passed in July 2005, thereby providing a 10 percent exemption from school district taxes to those eligible taxpayers as indicated in the aforementioned law."

The law seemed confusing to most as stated, prompting a lot of questions from members of the board and taxpayers alike over the past six months since the law was passed.

"The state passed a law allowing counties and school districts to provide a tax exemption to all volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers," Superintendent Dr. Herman Sirois said. Locally, this would apply to members of the Levittown, Wantagh and East Meadow Fire Departments who reside in School District 5.

"Local governments provide the tax break," Dr. Sirois continued. "The state just gets the credit."

The issue was initially discussed at the board meeting of Oct.19 in front of a packed house at Levittown Memorial Education Center. Board members conferred on the subject that night, but it was tabled until future meetings and was not finally resolved until this meeting.

Secretary Gina Interdonato was relieved with the ultimate resolution of this matter.

"This issue brought discussions and confusion between board and community members," Interdonato said. "In the end we just want what's best for the community."

As local volunteer firefighters brought up at the October 2005 board meeting, long gone are the days that the Levittown Fire Department had a waiting list of people who wanted to volunteer. Now, there is a struggle to recruit and retain members. At that meeting firefighters said adding this tax exemption might boost recruitment efforts.

The night proceeded with the striking presentation of a "Trip Through the Middle Ages and Renaissance," by Gardiners Avenue students under the tutelage of Instrumental/Vocal Music Teacher Mr. Martinez. This consisted of a PowerPoint presentation accompanied by the children reciting facts about the time period.

In addition, Gardiners Avenue was honored further, with recognition to fourth-grade teacher James Centonze. He was one of 14 teachers given the "Great Teacher Award," for Junior Great Books which is a program that uses literature to teach children more in depth.

Centonze's unique teaching style of making real-life connections to literature and teaching students to deliver their thoughts aloud was a big reason for this honor.

The next Levittown Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. at the LMEC. For more information visit www.levittownschools.com.