The-Leader_2010-08-12

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75th Year, No. 32 Freepo : N.Y. 11520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, August 12, 2010
FADING INTO THE PAST: A piece of Freeport's history will soon be nothing more than a nnemory. The Brooklyn Water Works, located on Brookside Avenue just behind the Long Island Rail Road on Sunrise Highway, is slated for demolition. A demolition permit has been issued, said the mayor's office, and work will begin shortly
Originally, the Brooklyn Water Works had been landmarked in 1986, bi^ the building was found to be beyond repair. Cynthia Krieg told The Leaderthat Freeport's Landmarks Commission recently approved the demolition. "It's a
shame but it was dangerous, and it became a safety issue," she said.
The Brooklyn Water Works building was constructed from 1889-91, according to a plan by architect Frank Freeman. Water was supplied via a conduit to Brooklyn from 1891 until the mid-1950s. In the 1980s the 4.2 acres were pur­chased by Gary Melius, who originally wanted to turn the building into condos. A fire in 1988 ravaged the building, and'it has been in steady disrepair since then.
Historical file photo courtesy of Freeport Historical Society, t.eacler photo by Ricky PattI
Freeport school board releases assessment results
by Mark IVeske
Student achievement measurements were discussed at the August 4 Freeport Board of Education meeting at New Visions School
After speaking about the smooth function of the summer school, Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham had good news to report on a matter of great concern to many - the schools' graduation rate. Dr. Kucham announced that the numbers now in showed the previous rate (63%) increasing 10 points, to 73%. It is hoped that the final figures after August graduation will improve that number further.",
Assistant Superintendent Wafa Westervelt then pre­sented the results for the grades 3-8 math and English language arts (ELA) assessments for 2009-2010. The tests were given later this year (April instead of January for ELA, and May instead of March for math) as part of the process of requiring a broader level of knowledge in order to meet the "core standards" set for 2014. The per­formance levels have different definitions; Level one is "below standard;" two is "meeting basic standards;" three "meets proficiency standards" and four "exceeds proficiency standards." <•
And to show they mean business, the state has also raised (between the tests and the anouncement of results) the "cutlines;" that is, the border between the various levels. For example, for grade three, 650 was
level three in ELA; now, it's 662. In math, the grade three cudine was 650 - now, it's 684!
This has caused a drop in the percentages of level three and four students; the district presented those numbers alongside the percentages using die old standards:
ELA: Grade 3 - 65% old standards, 85% new standards, grade 4 - 66%, 87%; grade 5 - 48%, 85%; grade 6 - 47%, 71%, grade 7 - 51%, 82%; grade 8 - 51%, 63%.
Math: Grade 3 - 76% old standards, 95% new standards, grade 4 - 70%, 94%; grade 5 - 59%, 88%; grade 6 - 58%, 85%, grade 7 - 71%, 91%; grade 8 - 60%, 73%.
Dr. Kuncham noted that the district accepted the stan­dards increase, saying "we want to have high expectations," and assured the public that the district would continue its academic interventioii services as in the past to help stu­dents achieve on the higher level.
In public comment, Pat Lewis expressed concern as to how students and parents would receive the news of the lower scores (she described as "absurd" the changing of the cutlines after the test). She was told that the results are first sent to the district, and the students would receive them by letter in September - accompanied by information regard­ing the changes in testing and cutlines.
Alan Jay asked tiie board th^ the district expenditures be used on "more pertinent education," on matters concerning global warming and economics. "Don't discourage thrift," he told the board.
In otiier matters:
• The board approved the first reading of the district's professional development plan for 2010-2012.
• The tax levy was officially approved at the level it was stated at when the budget was passed in May - 1.88% increase budget-to-budget, 5.45% hike in the tax levy. Dr. Kuncham noted there was some apprehension that a decrease in Medicaid funding might result in necessary mid-year aid cuts and budget problems on Freeport's end, but he said the U.S. Senate might be making up the differ-ance in another manner, and hoped that mid-year budget cuts could be avoided. Dr. Kuncham also reminded atten­dees that base proportions and reduced property assess­ments might make actual tax increases larger.
• The board approved a student trip to Orlando, Florida in May 2011. Ms. Lewis questioned the board and was assured the trip would not be paid for by taxpayers.
• The board re-appointed Dr. Mary Bediako district clerk, and appointed Syntax as the district's new public relations firm.
• The board approved a bid for pizza, and among the usual staff comings and goings terminated one position in tiieheahharea.
The next meeting of the Freeport Board of Education will be Wednesday, August 25, at New Visions. This meeting was rescheduled from August 18.
Canoe race August 15
page 2
Village board regulates alarms
page 3
Fire on Hanse Avenue
page 5
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