In spite of several revisions to its redistricting plan for the 2000-2001 school year, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Board of Education was still met at its meeting earlier this week with a barrage of angry, confused parents concerned that the district was unnecessarily moving their children to another school for the upcoming fall semester.

Parents and students have lauded the recent actions of the board of education to minimize the potential strain redistricting could have on students. It revised its redistricting plans on two occasions over the past two months. First, in early January the board "grandfathered" (allowed students to remain at their present school despite living in an area redistricted for another school) current seventh grade students at Mattlin Middle School for their eighth year. The board subsequently grandfathered fifth and sixth grade students at Mattlin Middle School, and all third grade students in the district. Combined, the district grandfathered 172 children.

These exceptions have left many parents of the 41 fourth grade students who have been rezoned to the Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School asking 'what about us?' With the exception of first and second grade students, these are the only students in the district whose ascent through the school system is being "redirected" by the creation of new boundaries for the district's four elementary schools and two middle schools.

Upset parents stated during the meeting that the district has made every effort to accommodate the "social, emotional, and academic" needs of everyone but those of a small number of students. A newsletter written by several parents and distributed to the parents of the 41 affected students stated that the transition from elementary school to middle school is already hard enough on a student, and that it is unfair, and potentially damaging, to separate a small number of students from their classmates of five years as they make this transition.

Many of the speakers at the meeting requested that the board study the implications of grandfathering the 41 fourth grade students, and then ultimately give them the option of attending either of the middle schools.

School Board President Evy Rothman, stated prior to the public comment session during the Feb. 14 meeting that the board would not consider altering any of its decisions and that "it is time to move on" with the redistricting process.

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Cavanna further stated later in the week that the process of formulating a redistricting plan is complete. "We looked at every possibility and the board adopted a policy that is in the best interest of all the children."

The redistricting was prompted by the board's decision to open the Pasadena Elementary School (grades 1-4) to remedy overcrowding at the elementary level and to balance enrollment in the two middle schools. The Pasadena building has been leased to BOCES since its closing several years ago.

Despite the remaining discontent toward the redistricting plan, the district has already organized a schedule of events designed to aid students in their transition to new schools in the fall. A poster contest, family picnic, and an orientation day have been organized to introduce elementary students to their new school environments. Likewise, a pen pal program, principal visits, a rollerskating party, and a pizza party have been scheduled for the students who will be attending a new middle school in the fall.

Cavanna also stated that staffing of the Pasadena school is ahead of schedule. During the same board meeting, the nomination of Sylvia Rey, presently the principal at district's kindergarten center, as the principal of the soon-to-be-opened school was confirmed.