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BOE meet draws crowd over restroom, locker room policy By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
Carolyn James/Herald
Gangs of young bikers have caused havoc in downtown areas like Massapequa Park Village where Village and school officials are working to stem the tide of these dangerous incidents.
Massapequa Park leaders, residents raise alarm over reckless bike riding By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
Village and school officials are warning parents about groups of young bicyclists whose behavior has endangered themselves, drivers, and pedestrians. Mayor Dan Pearl sent a letter to village families, and Massapequa Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Brennan addressed school district families, urging parents to help curb unsafe riding habits. Pearl said the incidents, reported along Front Street and Park Boulevard, include weaving into traffic, obstructing vehicles, harassing pedestrians, and “creating an environment of fear for both residents and businesses.” “These actions are not only reckless, but they also violate local law,” Pearl wrote, citing village code sections that require bicyclists to obey traffic rules and prohibit riding on sidewalks in the business district. Parents of minors can face fines ranging from $100 for a first violation to $500 for repeated offenses. Pearl called on parents to speak urgently with their children about safety. “We cannot wait until tragedy strikes,” he wrote. “The
safety of our children, residents, and local businesses depends on immediate corrective action.” Brennan echoed the mayor, emphasizing parental responsibility. “Recent incidents in the village and surrounding Massapequa neighborhoods have raised serious concerns,” he wrote. “The most powerful influence comes from you, at home. I urge you to take time today to talk with your children about bicycle safety.” Residents expressed frustration over the problem. Kerry Pleines Perez wrote on Facebook that a group of youngsters on bikes “ran into a store a few weeks ago and destroyed half the store. They get more brazen and disrespectful every day,” she said. Linda Coffery added that parents should face fines if their children are caught riding recklessly. Some residents said responsibility lies with parents rather than schools. “I think this is more of a parental responsibility,” said Donna White as she was having lunch with Samanthan Watkins on Front Street. Watkins added, “The best thing is for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
New York State’s education commissioner ruled that the Massapequa School District can’t enforce its ban on transgender students using school restrooms and locker rooms aligned with their gender identity, not their birth identity. The issue continues to divide parents and residents and tempers once again flared at the Oct. 9 meeting as more than 200 people heard Board President Kerry Wachter defend the new policy requiring students to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their biological sex at birth. Wachter said the policy is not discriminatory and is designed to protect privacy and safety. “It is common sense, it is law, and it is fair,” Wachter said. “We take the harder road because we believe in doing what is right for this community and its children, and yes, that sometimes means going to court.” Wachter cited past board decisions, including mask and mascot controversies, and said the board expects to be proven right on this issue as well. “We were vindicated on the masks, we believe we will be vindicated on the mascot and I believe we will be vindicated on this as well,” she said. “We are standing on the right side of the law and the right side of what’s best for our kids.” Her comments received the
largest applause of the night. It was apparent from the reaction of the audience to the speakers who supported the school’s policy that most attending the meeting supported it as well. However, a significant minority opposed it while at times tempers flared and some speakers were interrupted. But board members kept the meeting on track. Only residents of the Massapequa School District were allowed to speak. Supporters included Christy Chipina, a mother of four, who urged parents to protect children’s privacy and legal rights adding that she believes students can be “transitioned” without their parents’ knowledge. Patricia Foley, a 1998 Massapequa High graduate said federal law supersedes state law, while to current female students said they would feel uncomfortable sharing facilities with biological males. Opponents included Democratic Oyster Bay Town Board candidate Dan Smith, 2015 Massapequa High graduate Erin Curley, and Jericho High School coPrincipal Joe Prisinzano. Curley argued the policy endangered students’ safety and mental health, while Prisinzano highlighted risks faced by transgender youth, including suicidal thoughts. Two transgender speakers also said the policy threatens safety and well-being for transgender and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2