At last week's meeting of the Mineola Board of Education, it was announced that summer would be an active season for the school district in terms of construction projects.

The existing Willis Avenue building as well as lead and asbestos abatement for that building is scheduled to take place in late August or early September. The demolition project is expected to be complete in the middle of November.

Construction on the new Willis Avenue School for all of the district's pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, which was a major part of last year's successful bond referendum, will begin in April or May of 2002. It will take approximately 12 to 14 months to complete the building. Therefore, the district estimates that the new school building will be ready for the 2003-2004 school year.

There is still an unresolved issue concerning the parking for the school. In the design of the building and grounds, there doesn't appear to be adequate parking for those who will be working at the school as well as possible visitors.

It had been stated in a December meeting of the board of education that as many as 60 employees would be working at the school with only 49 parking places planned.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Harry Jaroslaw said the district would continue to attempt to work out a solution with the Village of Mineola Board of Trustees. Dr. Jaroslaw said he, along with board of education member RoseAnn Buglione, has been meeting with some members of the village's board and the mayor in hopes of coming to a resolution.

"We have not moved on that one yet," Dr. Jaroslaw said, adding that as time draws closer to the actual construction of the new Willis Avenue building, the matter will be dealt with.

Another project scheduled to take place in late summer/early fall is the installation of a new roof at Mineola High School. The project is expected to take two months to complete so the district estimates that the new roof should be on by the winter.

Assistant Superintendent for Business John Jackson said that since there would be rubber going on the roof, there should be no offensive odor, but there may be some noise factors that will be dealt with by the administration so that there is no hindrance on the educational process.

Another item that will take place during the summer is an asbestos abatement in the annex area of Mineola Middle School. The district hopes that project will begin on July 1 and take approximately four weeks, giving the district time to put some floor tiles and ceiling tiles back and get the area ready for occupancy by students in September.

Dr. Jaroslaw said he was pleased to announce that, through such meetings, action has been taken to improve the parking situation around Mineola Middle School.

Dr. Jaroslaw said parking around the middle school has been a difficult situation. Perhaps one of the reasons is the nearby presence of Chaminade High School.

With regard to Mineola Middle School, there will be an area zoned for two buses to park as well as the four to five additional parking spaces in front of Mineola Middle School with 90 minute parking. Visitors to the school will now be able to park for a limited time while they are in the school.

In addition to designating a place for visitors to park, the new regulation will prevent motorists from parking their cars in front of the school for extended periods of time. The new parking is expected to go into effect in early June.

Also, at last week's board of education meeting, 11 teachers were granted tenure by the board. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Deanne Gerstel said that these teachers are excellent educators and the district is happy to have them. Each of the tenure recipients was announced by the principal of the school in which they teach. They are:

Scott B. Donnellan (High School)

Robert M. Goodwin (High School)

Greg Greer (High School)

Donald Leopardi (High School)

John G. O'Malley (High School)

Jason S. Sauter (High School)

Marie Watson (High School)

Christine Wiedman (High School)

Michael J. Mildon (Middle School)

Brian E. Goldman (Meadow Drive)

Karin Shaw (Hampton Street)

Christine E. Shields (Hampton Street)