More than a dozen school districts closed Monday
Boxes of supplies line the hall of Hampton Bays High School for the community shelter in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. (Oct. 28, 2012) Credit: Andrew Kozak
More than a dozen Long Island school districts will remain closed Monday, and some through Tuesday, regional officials announced Sunday morning.
West Babylon, Babylon, Deer Park, Elwood, Smithtown, Harbor Fields, Cold Spring Harbor have decided to stay shuttered through Tuesday, due to damage from superstorm Sandy.
Amityville, Commack, Half Hollow Hills, Babylon and Lindenhurst schools, all of which are also closed Monday, have not decided or announced their plans for Tuesday.
"Every school district that closed is really closed because either they don't have full electricity or because they can't transport students out of neighborhoods," said Mike Mensch, superintendent of Western Suffolk BOCES, which consists of 18 school districts.
School officials in other districts Islandwide have said they are to determine their reopening plans Sunday.
In Long Beach, one of the most severely damaged communities, schools are Monday and Tuesday, officials announced Sunday morning.
Last week, most schools stayed shut five full days -- a loss of class time that veteran educators called unprecedented for the Island. State law requires a minimum 180-day school calendar, and many administrators hope to make up for the loss by holding classes on Election Day.
With John Hildebrand
Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
