Lindenhurst board votes to shutter Bower Elementary School

After more than a year of highly charged debate, Lindenhurst's school board voted unanimously last night to shutter the district's 243-student Bower Elementary School as an economy move at the end of this school year.

The board voted after the fourth public hearing, which was delayed for an hour. Audience members, gathered at the Lindenhurst Senior High School Wednesday night, complained about the delay and were emotional in their comments about Bower.

"I believe the closing of Bower is a mistake, and that we'll be paying for it in many, many ways," said Christine DePetris, age 39, mother of two Bower students.

Another mother, Fran O'Mara, 48, agreed, saying, "Can we have a Christmas miracle and leave our school alone?"

Minutes later, without comment, the board voted 7 to 0, with one member absent to close the school.

Lindenhurst officials estimate that Bower's closing will save more than $1 million, in a year when their district and others face potentially sharp cuts in federal and state aid. But even with that, officials add that the district will probably have to make cuts in programs next year to balance its budget, currently $137 million.

Officials acknowledge the issue is wrenching. "Tonight is not an easy night," Richard Nathan, the district superintendent told the audience.

Built in 1952, Bower is the smallest of seven elementary schools in the district, and also one of the oldest. Some taxpayers argue the school's location on busy Montauk Highway will make the building easy to lease.

One district resident, Jacqueline Milton, 61, whose three children, now grown, attended another elementary school in the district, told the audience that she felt the closing would probably prove cost-effective.

"It's disruptive for the parents, its disruptive for the kids," she said. "But I think its scarier for the parents because the kids are resilient."

Parents of Bower students contend the school's small size fosters close-knit relations between families and staff, and contributes to the school's high test scores. An October forum on the potential closing drew about 300 residents and teachers.

Once the school closes, the district expects to split most of its students between Harding Avenue Elementary School and West Gates Avenue Elementary School. A small number of special-education students would attend either Albany Avenue or William Rall schools.

Lindenhurst isn't the only district grappling with closures. Mineola officials want to close at least two schools, though they say this would require voters approve a bond issue adding classrooms at other buildings.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated when the school was built.