The Elmont and Sewanhaka School Districts, principals in the aborted plan to once again make the Alva T. Stanforth School an educational facility, have agreed to disagree and end negotiations regarding the sale of the building to one entity from the other.

The agreement, announced in a joint letter released November 24, effectively dashes the hopes of Elmont residents, who had wanted to see Alva T. Stanforth brought on line as an additional elementary school in the area.

The joint letter, forwarded to this newspaper by Sewanhaka Superintendent Dr. George Goldstein, reads as follows:

"It is with regret that the presidents of the Elmont Union Free School District board of education and the Sewanhaka Central High School District board of education announce the cessation of any further negotiations concerning the proposed sale of the Alva T. Stanforth school building to the Elmont Union Free School District.

"Both boards are in agreement that the proposed sale of the Alva T. Stanforth building to Elmont is no longer a viable option."

Though the People for the Purchase of Alva T. Stanforth (PATS) had floated a proposal that would have the Elmont Elementary School District lease the building and grounds from the Sewanhaka School District, the prospect of even that coming to pass also appears doubtful.

"It seems as if we have two parties who really don't want the building to come back on line," said Richard Mastrocola of PATS.

"From the Elmont School District's point of view, they apparently don't want to create a 'hub' school as opposed to neighborhood schools... but if there's no room, well, what are you going to do...

"And from the Sewanhaka standpoint, now that the sale is at a standstill, they have their own reasons to avoid the entire lease question. Some segment of the Sewanhaka school board find that a threatening option.

"Why? Because if they were to enter into a lease/tenancy agreement, at some point in the future, they would have to wrestle with what to do with a viable building."

Mastrocola's obvious disappointment is a far cry from sentiments he expressed six months ago, when it appeared that the only hurdle the acquisition of the Alva T. Stanforth had to cross was a public referendum that was to be held this past September.

At that time, both school districts had an understanding as to each of their respective responsibilities in regard to the purchase, as well as on an actual sale price.

"Perhaps it wasn't the best of agreements from Elmont's standpoint, but then, they had already decided to let the public decide," Mastrocola recalled earlier this week.

"There wasn't supposed to be any more wrangling by the school districts. But what happened was, in the interim, there was a change in the make-up of the school board, and another assessment of the property was done, and it was found that the costs to rehabilitate the building would exceed the original estimates that went in to formulating the referendum.

"Therefore, the referendum could not be held. Now, back in July," Mastrocola continued, "we had put on their plate the possibility of a lease agreement as opposed to a sale agreement.

"It is my understanding that this is not a new idea. It had been introduced once before and dismissed out of hand once before -- in fact, I think there was talk at one point of Sewanhaka leasing the building to the police department... so long as they agreed to refurbish the building entirely.

"Our proposal, which was presented relatively quietly to both boards, was that Sewanhaka refurbish the building only to the point that it is basically habitable, making sure the roofs don't leak and so forth, and that Elmont come in and redesign the building to meet the needs of educating children.

"Essentially, they would share the costs. Now, the Sewanhaka position, to date, has been, 'Do you mean we'd have to float a bond to pay for that?' My answer to that is 'yes,' but then rather than have your taxpayers foot the bill, establish a rental rate with Elmont that would pay off the bond and interest.

"Strangely, after we introduced that idea privately -- we didn't want to be theatrical about it -- people made comments at public meetings about how Sewanhaka was 'debt-free and proud of it.'

"Other than those comments, our proposal has virtually been ignored by both school districts. Initially, they said it was because they were still involved with negotiating the sale. I can understand that, but why not now at least explore the possibility of leasing the building? That I don't understand."

Far from driving a stake into the heart of the grassroots People for the Purchase of Alva T. Stanforth, the failed sale of the facility has actually bolstered the group.

"We're now actually looking to expand it beyond Elmont," Mastrocola said. "I think, if anything, this situation has taught us that we need to be a Sewanhaka-wide monitoring and lobbying organization. Yes, our principle concern is still to see that building be used for educational purposes, but we have to take a slightly different approach to it.

"Anyone wishing to join us should write us at P.O. Box 030413, Elmont, NY 11003 or call, 328-2036."

In hindsight, Mastrocola said, "It seems like both school districts were looking at it from negative perspectives and addressing the issue in coated statements, if you know what I mean.

"I honestly don't think anybody really wanted to do anything, short of knocking the building down. Nothing indicates to me that the Elmont School District was honestly campaigning to see that this acquisition came to pass.

"Interestingly, at the November 24 meeting, a speculator showed up and began asking people how they'd feel about the property becoming a shopping center.

"We tried to jockey these people to do something for the good of Elmont's school children. Unfortunately, the only movement I can see is that Sewanhaka now recognizes this is on the front plate of public attention," Mastrocola said.