Bethpage-Tribune_1971-03-04

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Island Trees Serving Bethpage - Plainview - Island Trees - Plainedge - Seaford
VOL. 5 No. 18
Old Bethpage
Thursday, March 4, 1971 10c per copy
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From
The Publisher s Desk
* A J
Legislation to eliminate the
controversial practice of teacher
tenure in school districts other
than city school districts and
substitute renewable contracts
for three to five years has been
introduced by Assemblyman
Charles D. Henderson (R--
Steuben County).
The bill, an amendment of the
education law, would not affect
teachers presently on tenure.
However, as of July 1 of this year,
the tenure system would be
eliminated and those teachers
eligible for tenure from that date,
on would instead be eligible for
renewable contracts for periods
of three to five years.
The Henderson bill has the
endorsement of the New York
State School Boards Association,
Inc. The three to five year con­tracts
would be based on
recommendation of the chief
school administrator. The ad­ministrator's
decision, in turn,
would be based upon an
evaluation report submitted by a
five-member commission, at
least three of whom would be
teachers.
Assemblyman Henderson said:
"Under the present law, it is
difficult if not impossible for a
school board to remove a teacher
once he has obtained tenure! The
procedure in the present law,
while protecting teachers from
allegedly unfair action by school
boards, can also be damaging to
the teacher brought up on
charges.
"The hearing required under
the present law," Henderson
continued, "could cause the
teacher to lose the respect and
esteem of the community and the
students, thereby reducing his
effectiveness in the classroom."
He also stated: "This bill will
improve the quality of teaching
by requiring a pzriodic review of
the teacher's service and ability
while providing the teacher with
contractual security. The present
law encourages the,indolent
teacher to perform at minimal
levels of acceptability.
"The periodic evaluation by the
commission composed largely of
his peers would encourage the
teacher to maintain his highest
quality of instruction. The con­tractual
relationship and the
ejta{yaJiiaLjtoL^a»^co»imJlftfiinn
would protect the teacher from
flagrant misuse of: authority by
the chief school administrator
and /or the school board."
The Steuben County Assem­blyman
added: "The commission
proposed in this bill would
provide at least a partial
fulfillment of the goal of
professional autonomy long
sought by teachers'
organizations. The commissions,
of which a majority of the
members would be teachers,
would be responsible for
establishing standards of
practice and would be respon­sible
to the public, represented by
the school board, for enforcing
them."
"Since teachers, like other
public employees, today have
collective bargaining under the
Taylor Law, the need no longer
exists for the archaic and an­tiquated
present tenure law."
He concluded: "I have not as
yet met a competant teacher who
has objected to this legislation.
Any competant teacher need
have no fear of the review of his
or her performance."
School Boards
Urge Support of
Giuffreda Bill
John J. Foley, President of the
Nassau-Suffolk School Boards
Association, today urged all Long
Island taxpayers to write to their
State Senators and Assem­blyman,
urging passage of S1785,
introduced by State Senator Leon
Giuffreda of Centereach (a
companion measure, A1782, was
introduced in the Assembly by
Assemblyman Burrows).
This Bill, according to Foley,
encompasses the basic provisions
of the Educational Conference
Board's Legislative Program for
1971.
Senator Giuffreda's Bill would
Jreezethe.local.sjpjjjooltax snare
at $13.50 per thousand dollars of
full valuation for the computation
of state aid. In addition, it would
increase the ceiling for operating
expenses from $860 to $1050 per
pupil in 1971 and $1250 in 1972.
Current average per pupil
operating costs in New York
State exceed $1050. In addition,
Senator Giuffreda's Bill would
change the flat grant support in
districts receiving this aid from
$310 per pupil to $450 per pupil in
1971 and $550 per pupil in 1972. It
would also equalize state aid
(Continued on Page 6).
Promoted
I Photos-In-The-News I
Rooney Heads Drugs Committee
In a move that reflects his groups going off in all directions,
determination to stem the
growing meance of narcotics and
drug abuse, Nassau County
Executive Ralph G. Caso today
announced former Police
Commissioner Francis B. Looney
will be his special consultant on
the problem.
"No man available is more
qualified or has more experience
in this area than Commissioner
Looney," Caso stated, "As a
policeman for 30 years, as an
attorney, as a former president of
this State Association of Chiefs,
of Police and vice president of the
International Association, he is
well aware of the depth and scope
of the drug problem."
Caso explained that Looney's
task will be to advise him on ways
of coordinating all narcotics and
drug abuse programs in the
county.
"As it now stands, there are
attempting to tackle this problem
both through education and
treatment • " Caso said. "While it
is a laudable community activity,*
I think much more could be ac­complished
if we could coor­dinate
and avoid duplication of
effort."
The county executive pointed
out that in addition to the coun­ty's
program and local com­munity
activity, there also is a
vast network of programs on the
state and federal level.
"I want my representative at
their seminars and meetings to
make our needs known," Caso
said. "A man with his police and
legal background will be able to
evaluate and advise on proposed
legislation dealing with narcotics
and drugs.
"Right now," he added,
"marijuana use and its danger is
(Continued on Page 6)
EASTER SEAL PRINCESS: The elementary grades
at Human Resources School, Albertson, were present
to cheer at the crowning of four-year-old Donna
Malley, of Merrick, 1971 Nassau Easter Seal Poster
Princess, representing thousands of handicapped
persons in Nassau County who benefit by the programs
of the Nassau Easter Seal Society for Crippled
Children & Adults. March is the annual Nassau Easter
Seal Appeal month, as proclaimed by Hon. Ralph
G.Caso. From left, above, are: Denise D'Annunzio, of
Belimore; John Balvin, of Massapequa Park; Donna;
Karin Buchholz, of East Rockaway; Lauren Bergevoy
of.Forest Hills; and Roland Fitzgerald, of Bethpage.
An important program supported by East Seals is
summer day camp for over 175 severely disabled
children ages 3-18.
Frank D'Andria of Bethpage
has been appointed an assistant
vice president by the Hempstead
Bank Board of Directors. He has
been in charge of the Bank's
Bethpage Office since 1965.
A veteran of commercial
banking for twenty years, he is a
graduate of the American In­stitute
of Banking and will be
attending the New York State
Development School this spring.
Mr. D'Andria has been noted
for his participation in com­munity
activities and has
assisted the Nassau County
Cerebral Palsy Association with
its fund raising programs.
He and his wife Catherine have
four children and reside in Beth­page.
County Executive Ralph G. Caso is greeted by
Lurana M. Spanier of Syosset, director of the Nassau
Vocational Center for Women, at center's recent
registration period for women interested in preparing
for a second career or continuing their education. With
them are Louis L. Flago.(r), director of Plainview-Old
Bethpage Continuing Education program, Central
School District 4; and Richard Mereday of Roosevelt,
director of county's Bureau of Career Planning and
Development which assists residents seeking em-pllyment.
"Educational Goals - '71" program
washheld at the Plainview Jewish Center.