Vote allows sixth-grade center at Abrams school

The Huntington School Board Monday night voted against a measure that would have rescinded their April vote approving a districtwide sixth-grade center at Jack Abrams Intermediate School.

The vote came after a long public commentary session where dozens of parents spoke out against the board's vote last month to create the new center.

The board voted 4-3 against the measure, which means the plan for the sixth grade center will go forward in the fall. Many parents who spoke out against the center left the auditorium visibly upset after last night's vote.

"I can't believe they didn't listen," said Valerie Bograd, a parent of two children in the district, after the vote. "or they didn't care. They didn't explain why they made this decision."

Board members Bill Dwyer, Emily Rogan Chris Bene and Kim Brown voted against the measure while Rich McGrath, John Paci and Elizabeth Black voted to rescind.

The board's April vote has generated controversy because it means all district students attend at least one year at the school that has been at the center of a safety debate.

During the first of two public commentary sessions at Jack Abrams, parents mostly chastised the board over the vote.

The four board members who approved the sixth grade center plan, have publicly defended their decision to send all district sixth-graders through Jack Abrams as a unifying effort and one that allows "unique educational opportunities."

Some applauded the sixth grade plan.

"I'd like to take the time to thank the board for moving ahead with this decision," said Jeff Moss, a Jack Abrams parent, before last night's vote."This decision represents true compromise and quality for all students."

On April 19, toward the end of a five-hour meeting, the school board voted 4-3 to send all fourth- and fifth-graders in September to the district's other intermediate school, Woodhull, with all sixth-graders attending Jack Abrams.

The Huntington Station campus of Jack Abrams has been the focus of a communitywide discussion over student safety after shots were fired during school hours on March 11 and district Superintendent John Finello said violence had compromised safety in the area.