The Mineola School District Board of Education awarded contracts to contractors who will be working on the Mineola High School library reconstruction, the high school main office and guidance department reconstruction, making six high school bathrooms compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and the implementation of the infrastructure for technology at the high school.

The library, main office and guidance department reconstruction as well as the work to make the bathrooms ADA compliant are scheduled to being on July 1 and be completed on December 16.

Mineola High School Principal Dr. Michael Nagler said he is excited about the project. "The impact it's going to have on kids and how we run our building is astronomical," he said. "We're finally going to have a place where kids are going to want to go into the library to do research and office space that's functional. In addition, by enlarging the library to twice its current size, it really becomes the HUB of the building and that was our major goal. The library is going to be the center of the whole building."

Superintendent of Schools for the Mineola School District Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli said the front of the building in terms of the entrance to the school will be much more welcoming with improved visibility while maximizing the use of space.

The total cost of all of the projects is projected to be $2,796,526 including $1,814,076 for the library reconstruction and ADA bathrooms, $395,845 for the main office and guidance reconstruction, $132,450 for data cabling, and $454,155 for architect fees including $15,445 expected to have to be reimbursed to the architect for expenses and disbursement, $81,000 for Clerk of the Work, which serves as an on-site representative to report to the district and $116,928 in contingency.

* The General Construction Contract was awarded to NY Construction & Contracting in Mineola for $881,700.

* The asbestos abatement contract was awarded to Netrix, Inc. in Butler, NJ for $93,491.

* The plumbing contract was awarded to Botto Mechanial Corp. in Plainview for $110,680.

* The HVAC contract was awarded to Geo-Tech Construction Corp. in Mineola for $453,650.

* The electrical contract was awarded to $670,400.

* The data cabling contract was awarded to S.J. Electric, Inc. for $132,450.

Funding will come from monies that were approved in the 2001-2002 budget, 2004-2005 budget that was approved last month by voters as well as monies that were approved in the $25.7 million referendum that was passed by voters in 2000.

For the high school library reconstruction, $1.2 million was approved for the project as part of the 2001-2002 budget. For the high school main office and guidance reconstruction, $850,000 will come from the 2004-2005 budget. The rest of the money will come from the bond referendum passed in 2000.

When voters approved the $25.7 million referendum in 2000, it included $8,082,354 for a technology initiative.

However, it was discovered while trying to get approval from the state on some of the projects that were included in the referendum that the district needed to compliant in other areas. Therefore, the district shifted $5,065,685 from the technology initiative to pay for other projects such as the middle school library, middle school office suites, middle school main entrance, middle school ventilation system, four ADA bathrooms for the middle school, six ADA bathrooms for the high school, an ADA elevator for the Jackson Avenue School, an ADA elevator for the Cross Street School, an ADA elevator for the Hampton Street School and fees and miscellaneous expenses.

This shift left $3,766,300 for the K-12 technology initiative. However, Dr. Licopoli and assistant superintendent of business believe this was enough funding to satisfy the district's technology goals.

The Mineola Board of Education will be having a special workshop on Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the board room, second floor of the Willis Avenue School, located at 121 Jackson Avenue in Mineola.

Attending Thursday's board of education meeting were some of the students who worked on the book The Gizmo Tales: Working Dogs, that was put together by Meadow Drive fifth grade students as well as Donna Paltrowitz and Dr. Jeri Fink.

The students worked on the book about dogs who have jobs and learned a variety of skills in the process including how to interview. Some of the owners and dogs included in their book are Steve Berger and Roo, who worked as part of the search and rescue team following the September 11 tragedy, Vinnie Basile and his guide dog Jessie, Nassau County Police Officer Terrence Loughlin and bomb detecting dog Dan and Deanna McDermott, who has spina bifida, of Carle Place and her dog Zippo.

The students got to know dogs from as far away as Australia. The children even held a book signing.

Proud principal of Meadow Drive Patricia Molloy let the students answer questions. Besides improving their reading and writing skills, the students also learned quite a bit about dogs like dogs aren't just for pets; they can also help people.

Another book may be in the students' future.

Also playing key roles in the process were Meadow Drive's fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Beyrer and Mr. Tramonte, who were congratulated by Dr. Licopoli for being granted tenure.

Dr. Licopoli joined with Eagle Scouts Richard Boeshore and Doug Schumacher, who are now parents in the district, in honoring three gentlemen who recently became Eagle Scouts. Christopher Boeshore, Nicholas Rachell and William Schweiger were all honored for their tremendous achievement. Mr. Schumacher commented that these young men are on their way to a life of community service and also gave credit to parents who play a key role with their support in helping a Scout reach the rank of Eagle. Dr. Licopoli announced the school district is expected to receive a $25,000 grant from Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli for the Mineola High School auditorium seats.

Some parents of second grade students at the Jackson Avenue School spoke out against what they feel is unfair concerning class sizes at the school. According to the parents, the school has three classes that have either 26 or 27 students. The other schools, the parents said, have classes with fewer students in them. Dr. Licopoli said he would like to see all classes under 23 students.

One of the parents said that she doesn't mind paying taxes and supporting the budget, but the parents should get what they are paying for. Each member of the board of education as well as Dr. Licopoli received a letter from the Second Grade Parent Committee. The letter was also given earlier that day to Jackson Avenue School Principal Ida Ayres.

Dr. Licopoli offered to set up a meeting between himself, Mrs. Ayres and the parents to come up with a solution. School board president Steve Siwinski said one of the board members should also be present at the meeting, which is expected to take place this week.