As longtime residents of Mineola, we are extremely concerned about the recently proposed scheme for the new Pre-K, K and Central Administration building to be located at the Willis Avenue School site. It is our belief that the June 20 bond vote was greatly influenced by the school board's decision to utilize the Willis site. The inclusion of the school site as part of the bond referendum demonstrated the school board's willingness to resolve a number of existing problems. The Willis Avenue School (buildings and grounds) has clearly sat "abandoned" for years, negatively impacting the surrounding neighborhood. Now, the bond has passed and the school board has subsequently decided it is in the community's best interest to level the existing structure and erect and new building. However, the new building must be reflective of our community and its values. In our opinion, the proposed structure does not sensitively address its surroundings or its primary users - our 4 and 5-year-old children.

A child's first educational experience should be warm and inviting, hopefully generating a love of learning for years to come. The proposed scheme articulates a seemingly cold and austere structure, sometimes described as resembling a corporate office or even a "prison."

In developing a program which houses both the Central Administration offices and an early childhood center, many current and future spatial requirements will be resolved. However, we as residents must ensure that the end product adequately satisfies our requirements. It is in the best interest of our children, and ultimately our community, to create a school building which serves its users in the most appropriate manner while maintaining the integrity of its community.

We urge you to examine the current proposal and ask school board members to carefully analyze both the interior and the exterior of what is to be the newest symbol of our community/school district.

Concerned citizens

Isabel DeSousa

Annette Fabrico