Saying they wanted to put the brakes on runaway rumors circulating throughout the district, the West Babylon School Board voted Tuesday, March 2 to move forward with plans to rebuild the South Bay School. The elementary school was destroyed by fire Feb. 18, and school officials said that while it is still too early to give the public details about how and when the building will be constructed, they wanted the public to be assured that their intention is to rebuild.

“There are a lot of rumors out there and we want to put as many of them to rest as quickly as possible,” said Anthony Cacciola, superintendent of schools. “I’ve heard everything from we are going to put South Bay students in the Junior High School to using trailers to using classrooms in West Islip, none of which are true,” he said laughing.

The hope of squashing the rumors quickly was evident as School Board Trustee Lucy Campasano called for the resolution to hire the district’s architect, BBS of Patchogue, to move forward with the rebuilding plans as soon as the meeting was called to order. Beyond that, she and the other board members asked that the public be patient as the process progresses.

“There are a lot of questions that need to be answered as we move forward and it is important that we stick together as a community,” said Trustee Carmine Galletta. “This process will take time and patience.”

Before the district can proceed, the architect and insurance company officials must make a detailed analysis of the building and the damage. Following that, Cacciola said the district will have to get a report and recommendation from its architect about whether any part of the existing building can be salvaged or whether the district has to rebuild from scratch.

“We all have our marching orders,” said Cacciola, “and as soon as we know anything, we will notify everyone.”

In the meantime, the district plans to keep the students at Our Lady of Grace School where Cacciola said they have made a “remarkable transition.”

The district is leasing the building from the church at a cost of $1,250 a day—about $4 a day per child— through at least June.

“Our plan is to continue to keep the students at Our Lady of Grace, where they are thriving,” said Cacciola. “We have a lease through June with an option to renew for another year.”

He added, however, that he is putting together a contingency plan in the event an optional site is needed at some point in the future.

Several residents spoke at the meeting, reiterating to the board their hope that South Bay would be rebuilt. With her voice quivering with emotion, parent and PTA president Diana Doerbecker, said keeping “South Bay together as a family” is very important. She gave the school board a petition asking them to rebuild. It was signed by more than 850 residents.

Another resident asked that the school board consider building a “green” school that would be energy efficient. “We have the opportunity as a community to make a great decision and to put West Babylon on the map nationally, and I would like to see that happen,” he said.

Resident Dennis Brodmerkel, agreed, saying that building a green school would give the district an advantage down the line in the event it would have to consider closing an elementary school due to declining enrollment. “We could close a less energy efficient school and save money,” he said.

Cacciola said that he appreciated the ideas expressed but emphasized that he and the Board are not considering closing any schools. “That is just not something we are looking at,” he said. “I think one of the worst decisions this district made years ago was to sell Main Street School and I never want to be part of something like that.”

CONTRIBUTIONS OVERWHELM DISTRICT

In related matters, the district thanked everyone for the outpouring of support and contributions made to the district. At the present time, there are so many books and school supplies “that every student from South Bay can get through medical school,” said Dr. Dominic Palma, superintendent of curriculum. Rather than school supply donations, the district is setting up a special account for South Bay Elementary School and is asking that anyone who wants to contribute to send a check made out to the West Babylon School Trust and Agency and to put "South Bay School Relief " in the memo line. Thatfund will be used to purchase any equipment or other items not covered by the insurance company.

“Most things are going to be covered by insurance, and quite frankly, we simply do not have enough space to store all of the supplies,” said Palma. “We are extremely grateful for the response we have received.”