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BaBylon _______________
HERALD BEaCon
Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Obituary: Sister Mary Janetta
Spotlight on George Massimillo
Karen Fasano named nurse director at GSH
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VOL. 75 NO. 31
JULY 24 - 30, 2025
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WB School District leases Forest Avenue School to BOCES could generate up to $88,000 annually by leasing the building. But the issue was not withThe West Babylon School District has signed an agree- out controversy. The school, ment with Western Suffolk open since the 1960s, was more BOCES to lease the entire than just a learning place for Forest Avenue Elementary hundreds of families in West Babylon. School building As one parent for educational noted at the meetuse beginning in ings discussing September 2025. the closing: “It’s The building a family made up will retain the of dedicated stuForest Avenue dents, parents, name and will passionate teachoperate as an elers and staff.” ementary school The district serving stucontinues to opdents with speerate three othcial education er elementary needs. Under the schools—JFK, five-year lease, Santapogue, and Western Suffolk South Bay—as BOCES will pay DR. YIENDHY well as Tooker $64,625.50 per Avenue Elemenmonth and cover FARRELLY tary. It also mainall utility and Superintendent of tains junior high garbage collec- Schools and senior high tion costs. school buildings. The West BabAlthough the ylon Board of Education voted earlier this building will be fully leased year to close Forest Avenue to BOCES, the district will Elementary after a facilities retain access to the athletic study found it had the lowest fields for student and commuenrollment of the district’s nity use during afterschool elementary schools north of hours. “This agreement reflects Sunrise Highway. The study, conducted by an outside firm, the district’s continued comalso estimated the district mitment to responsible stew-
By CAROLYN JAMES
cjames@liherald.com
T
his agreement reflects the district’s continued commitment to responsible stewardship of community resources.
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Dr. Bruce Zappia, chairman of the scholarship committee, right, wih honoree Michael Bender, in front of photo of Mayor E. Donald Conroy, for whom the scholarship is named
Conroy Scholarship: Meet the 2025 winner Michael Bender By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com Michael Bender, a 2025 graduate of Babylon High School, was awarded the Mayor E. Donald Conroy Scholarship at the July 8 meeting of the Village of Babylon Board of Trustees. Bender, who completed more than 1,000 hours of community service during his high school years, called the $10,000 scholarship a “great honor.” He added, “It’s a recognition of my whole family and what they’ve done for me.”
His mother, Karen Bender, expressed pride in her son’s accomplishments. “He put in a lot of hard work,” she said. The annual scholarship is awarded to a Babylon High School senior—or a village resident attending a private or parochial high school—who has demonstrated a significant commitment to community service “in the unselfish spirit exemplified by E. Donald Conroy.” “Michael’s application showed a lot of volunteer work for his community all throughout his high school years,” said CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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