2013 was a big year for Lindenhurst, and might be best known for it being the year following the impact of Hurricane Sandy.
As the area recovered from the aftermath of the storms, many news items made headlines for us, especially in our school district. Here's a quick look back at some the biggest stories in 2013.
Board OKs New Security Cams, But Elementary Guards Gone by January
The Lindenhurst School Board approved a list of measures at their most recent school board meeting to approve new security equipment upgrades and enhancements throughout the district.
The board unanimously approved measures to purchase security upgrades across the district including: a new digital video recording software interface (DVR), camera additions, access key cards for all in-use district buildings, an automatic announcement for lockdowns over the public address system, one button lockdowns via text message, a door ajar surveillance system, and two-way video intercom system for greeters.
School Board Approves State's Sandy Assessment Relief Act
The Lindenhurst School Board unanimously passed a tax break for residents that were affected by the wrath of Hurricane Sandy last October.
The measure, which came under the state's recently passed Sandy Assessment Relief Act, allows the board to offer a retroactive reduction in the assessment of a property for its owners who were impacted by the storm.
Middle School Suffers "Significant Cracks," Requires Emergency Fix
The Lindenhurst Middle School has sustained multiple "significant cracks" and requires emergency repairs, district officials said at last week's Board of Education meeting.
According to the district's engineer John Grillo, multiple cracks and leaks were found on the portion of the building where the Auditorium meets the original structure with steel support beams attaching it.
Superintendent Richard Nathan Announces Retirement
Richard Nathan, the superintendent of the Lindenhurst School District, formally announced his retirement during the Board of Education Business Meeting on Wednesday night at the McKenna Administration Building.
Nathan, who has served as the district's superintendent since July 1, 2009, will leave the position effective June 30, 2014 – the technical end of the 2013-2014 school year.
High Costs Have Lindenhurst Eyeing Sale for Bower
The continued upkeep at the former E.W. Bower Elementary School is costing the Lindenhurst School District roughly $159,000 a year, the school board revealed during a public meeting last Wednesday, a price tag that is leading officials to explore selling the building.
According to the school board, it is costing $210,837 a year to maintain the building with utilities and cover the salaries for two custodians assigned there. Meanwhile, the revenue from renting out some of the school’s space to a church, a day care and a film studio have only totaled $51,460.
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Bower Elementary School Appraisal Completed
The Lindenhurst School District could cash in up to an estimate $6.5 million on the closed Bower Elementary School on West Montauk Highway, according to an appraisal released by the district.
The appraisal, conducted by Rogers & Taylor Appraisers, Inc., noted the entire property Bower Elementary sits on, all 216,400 square feet including the athletic fields and the school building, were estimated to be worth between $5,460,000 and $6,560,000.
Lindy Teachers, Nurses Revive High School Student Using CPR
Two teachers and two nurses at Lindenhurst High School were credited with helping to revive a senior student that collapsed at the school last week.
Teachers Richard Rogers and Diane Pollard were honored during the Lindenhurst Board of Education meeting on Wednesday evening at the McKenna Administration Building for their heroism in bringing the student, who was not breathing, back.
Lindy Schools Budget Passes; Langone, Vitiello, Aniello, McNeilly Elected
Lindenhurst voters gave their approval to the Lindenhurst Schools 2013-14 district budget and re-elected Edward Langone and Robert Vitiello to the Board of Education. Linda Aniello and Sean Mc Neilly were also elected as new trustees to the board.
2,008 Lindenhurst residents voted "yes," or roughly 65.1 percent, against the 1,074 "no" votes for the district's $145.7 million budget.
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