Letters

With Pierson back in session, students have renewed opportunities to be inspired, and the entire Sag Harbor Schools community has an opportunity to heal from the divisive distraction of the Board of Education’s narrowly failed attempt to purchase Marsden properties.

The Marsden purchase would have resulted in significant debt for taxpayers and unknown additional costs from cleanup and development, likely clear-cutting of woods, potential forever chemicals from artificial turf contaminating groundwater, and the loss of a natural sump that prevents flooding.

Many have wondered about the School Board’s discussions related to Marsden since the community voted down the purchase. So on June 27, I leveraged the Freedom of Information Law to request “emails and/or meeting minutes on Marsden properties” from District Clerk Mary Adamczyk. I was told that a response would be provided on July 20; and on July 20, Ms. Adamczyk stated that I could potentially receive a response by August 17 — and on August 17, Ms. Adamczyk said that the “district will provide you with a response no later than September 15, 2023.”

This is the nonresponse that Ms. Adamczyk, likely at the direction of Jeff Nichols and board members, gives a neighbor and taxpayer. I will now escalate my request to state officials.

This controversial behavior is everything that we don’t expect from officials that we entrust with nearly $50 million in taxpayer dollars each year to fund educational programs and pay teachers’ salaries.

Restricting information from individuals who disagree with the board’s intentions, even a disagreement on a single issue, is the newest tactic. The School Board has recently disallowed questions from Zoom at its business meetings, and they have publicly floated the idea that all questions to them be in writing. This is the same board that, prior to the vote in May, stated that bringing the community together after the vote would be a priority. Their actions speak louder than their words.

Many parents and community members now wonder if the School Board will make changes with the walk to Mashashimuet Park that they themselves have flagged as a safety concern. Others wonder if maintaining academic excellence will be a requirement to participate in sports, as Chase Mallia, head of the Teachers Association of Sag Harbor, stated that time spent commuting to athletic activities causes students in need to “forego academic help.” Others wonder when the board will finally follow the lead of other school districts to make free hot lunches for every child a priority?

Here’s hoping that this year the School Board will prioritize educational programs, salaries, the environment, fiscal responsibility and healing the community divide, versus escalating it with controversial initiatives like the purchase of Marsden properties.

Grover Pagano

Sag Harbor Village