West Babylon board of education votes to close Forest Avenue Elementary School

The West Babylon board of education voted Tuesday night to close Forest Avenue Elementary School by the end of August and repurpose the building. 

Administrators have cited declining enrollment and rising costs as factors for the decision. The plan calls for relocating students from Forest Avenue Elementary School to another of the district’s four remaining elementary schools. Officials said the district has  experienced a decline of more than 760 students in the past 15 years.

The board voted 8-1 with trustee Cathy Gismervik casting the dissenting vote. Before casting her vote, trustee Chirsten Johnson Tymann said the decision was not an easy one to make.

"I have to believe our children are strong and the programs I hope we can bring back are worth the change for them," Johnson Tymann said. "All of our elementary schools have fabulous teachers and staff that can foster children and introduce them to the world of learning." 

The district created a Long Range Planning Committee in June to discuss ways of increasing revenue, consolidation of elementary schools and to research alternatives to house universal prekindergarten students.

The committee was created around the same time the district's initial $136.9 million budget proposal for the 2024-25 school year failed. It would have raised taxes 4.99%. Instead, voters approved a $136.3 million budget that eliminated a ninth grade student health program, some tutoring programs for elementary students and reduced employees.

Forest Avenue Elementary School was identified for closure because it is the smallest elementary school in the district north of Sunrise Highway, in terms of classroom space, and potential increased transportation cost compared to closing another school, officials said.

District officials have said overall elementary school enrollment is more than 1,500. Forest Avenue currently has the lowest enrollment, with 280 students.

They estimated that renting out the Forest Avenue building could potentially bring in $880,000 of revenue annually.

Alicia DeMonte, a mother of two children attending Forest Avenue, said the school's PTA plans on filing an appeal with the state. 

"I still think this is a rushed decision," DeMonte said after the meeting. "I just feel bad for the kids in Forest Avenue, and the teachers and the staff."

School officials have said a transition plan will be established for students and class size limitations will remain the same.