In the days prior to a bond referendum vote in March of 1999 that, if passed, would add classroom space to every elementary school in the Elmont Union Free School District, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Maria Palandra held informational, public meetings on the referendum. The superintendent spent evenings, patiently explaining that enrollment in the district had increased and was projected to increase so that additional space was necessary.

The public responded to the bond proposal by passing it by an overwhelming margin. This past Saturday, the time for the district to add space to their school finally came to fruition. The Elmont School District held a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony at the Dutch Broadway School to signify the start of construction. Each of the six schools in the district will be receiving additions in order to adequately meet enrollment now and in the near future.

Principal of Dutch Broadway, Walter Aksionoff, kicked off the ceremony, which had a celebratory feel to it. "We have finally arrived at a time when classroom space issues, music and art on wheels, and cafeteria space will be answered," he said, referring, in part, to solutions having to do with sufficient space for music and art lessons.

Those on hand to mark the historic occasion of Elmont beginning its journey into its educational future included Board of Education President Deanna Doreson, Vice President Carl Termini and members Lillian Carillo, Joy Madera, Aubrey Phillips and Anne Reinhardt. Board of education member Ken Williams could not attend the ceremony because of a death in the family.

Among the dignitaries present were New York State Assemblyman Tom Alfano, Nassau County Legislator John Ciotti, Town of Hempstead Councilman Joe Kearney, Town of Hempstead Councilman Scott Banks and Sewanhaka High School Principal Debra Lidowsky.

Also attending the ceremony were district administration personnel Jeffrey Carlson, assistant to the superintendent for business and personnel; Maria Bonich, director of curriculum and instruction; Michelle Gay, director of pupil personnel services and Robert Geras, plant operations and facilities director. All of the schools in the district were represented by their principals - Aksionoff for Dutch Broadway, Mathew Zagami for Clara H. Carlson, Dr. Margaret Pleta for Covert Avenue, Amy Buchanan for Alden Terrace, Marshall Zucker for Gotham Avenue, Hope Kranidis for Stewart Manor and Patricia Kilduff, early childhood education coordinator.

"This is a special day for Elmont," Dr. Palandra stated, adding it was a "milestone in the history of the district."

Dr. Palandra then thanked all of the board of education members, administrators and parents for supporting a bond initiative the district deemed to be essential to the education of its children. "The district will find itself in a much better position to fulfill its educational goals," she said.

The district, she added, will benefit from the passing of the bond for years to come, especially since the schools will be able to handle increasing enrollment. "Elmont is ready to provide its children with the facilities that are needed," Dr. Palandra said.

Doreson, the president of the board, suggested that the beautiful weather of the warm October day was symbolic of the warmth the community showed in supporting the education of its children. She also stressed the importance of safety for the children during the construction process. "We are truly lucky to live in a community that supports a board of education and administration that both work very hard," she said.

Board of Education vice president Carl Termini said in his 16 years as an advocate for education in Elmont, he hasn't seen the community support as strong as it has been over the last two years. He praised the leadership of Dr. Palandra, affectionately calling her a "quiet, little, Italian ninja."

"Within the next two years, children are going to realize a better education than they're realizing now," he said.

Dr. Palandra then introduced Alfano, who, she said, is always mindful of the needs of the children. Alfano praised the work of the superintendent and board of education as well as the faculty and staff.

The ceremony ended with the board of education breaking ground with hard hats and shovels. When presented before the public, the bond referendum represented only a plan. Now, though, the work in passing that plan has paid off. Soon, the children of Elmont will have the space they need to achieve academically.