Mineola votes Tuesday on closing three schools

Residents in the Mineola school district will vote Tuesday on a $6.7-million bond proposal that would build additional classrooms but close three elementary schools.

It is necessary to close at least two schools because each houses fewer than 200 students, said Mineola Superintendent Michael Nagler.

"It's a big decision for the community," Nagler said.

The bond wouldn't affect the district's budget because it would be the same amount as another bond due to be paid off in two years, Nagler said, adding that the closure plan would save $44 million over 10 years.

The schools that would close under the plan are Meadow Drive in Albertson, Hampton Street in Mineola and Cross Street in Williston Park. Prekindergarten through first grade would be at Willis Avenue School, while grades 2-4 would attend Jackson Avenue School. Both schools would require additional classrooms.

About $850,000 would go toward building a rooftop playground at Willis Avenue. Building play space on the ground would eliminate 20 parking spaces.

Some parents say they don't like the idea of children playing on rooftops. "The biggest negative I hear is, 'I moved out of the city to come to the suburbs and this is a city idea,' " Nagler said. The rooftop playground would be enclosed by a 10-foot fence and trees.

If voters reject the bond, the district proposes splitting grades pre-K to 2 between Meadow Drive and Willis Avenue. Grades 3-4 would be at Jackson Avenue. Hampton Street and Cross Street would close.

That would require voters to approve a $4.4-million bond to build more classrooms at Jackson Avenue, Nagler said. If voters want to use Hampton Street for pre-K to 2 instead of Willis Avenue, then they would have to approve a $1.7-million bond, he said. Board member John McGrath opposes Tuesday's bond proposal: "The financial benefit won't outweigh the educational losses."

Nagler said it's a polarizing issue because people don't want to see their neighborhood schools close. "People have said to me closing a school is like closing a church," he said.

Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the district's elementary schools.