Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown
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Friday, August 6, 2021
Vol. 70, No. 32
BEST OF NASSAU COUNTY
DISPUTE DELAYS CONSTRUCTION
POLS DEMAND CUOMO QUIT
PAGES 19-62
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Districts wait for guidance on COVID plans Await word from health department before settting school safety policies BY S A M U E L E PETRUCCELLI With local school districts’ first day of class just weeks away, administrators and public education experts are anxiously awaiting state and federal guidance on protocols to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Those protocols could range from physical distancing, to wearing masks, to mandating the choice of regular testing or a vaccine. In a July 29 memo to district superintendents, principals and non-public school leaders, New York State Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa gave updates on what could be expected in the coming weeks for students. “The urgency and frustration you are feeling as September approaches is palpable and is shared by the department,” Rosa said. “The overall goal for the 20212022 school year is to maximize inperson teaching and learning, be
responsive to student needs, and keep students and staff healthy and safe. Be assured the department is engaged in continuing efforts to help develop and secure guidance to advance that goal.” Keeping students and staff healthy will take a few safety precautions, some designated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to Rosa. Though it would be best for such decisions to be made as soon as possible, the timeline for local districts to receive more clarity and inform their faculty, staff and students is unclear. “While the nature and extent of COVID-19 and its variants are still dynamic, it is essential that schools receive whatever guidance the governor and the [Department of Health] intend to offer about the 2021-2022 school year as soon as possible to provide time for you to take necessary measures to safely welcome students in September,” Rosa said. “Therefore, the best the Continued on Page 66
PHOTO BY SAMUELE PETRUCCELLI
Between last week’s wake and funeral, clergy estimate 5,000 attendees paid their respects to Manhasset brothers James and Michael Farrell. They were laid to rest at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington. See story on page 2.
New Mineola Fire Dept. HQ under construction BY B R A N D ON DUFFY
village’s firefighters said goodbye to their longtime home. A groundbreaking cerConstruction started on emony commemorated the a new headquarters for the start of construction on July Mineola Volunteer Fire De- 2, nearly two years after partment this month after the Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss
— himself a firefighter — revealed that the department’s century-old building on Jericho Turnpike would have to be torn down because of structural issues. Continued on Page 67
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