Schools closing

 My family has resided in this area for 6 generations. Each of them  being a  proud graduate  of the  Hollow school District . ,Through the generations the  family  has attended every school in this district  ,From one room school houses  to attending kindergarten when it was held in the library across from Sunquam School.

I am perplexed over the  public outcry because two local  schools are closing. I use the term  outcry but in actuality whining is a more appropriate word  .It has never been one  single school that makes this district one of the best.  It’s the combination  of all the  schools. some still in existence  and some long gone..The reason  for the closing is not new, it has been done in the past.

The reasons for some of the opposition are ridiculous , Some  people said they didn’t want their children to be separated from their friends.. Do they plan to have their children all attend the same colleges? Seriously People,  It’s called making new friends !  Now someone has gathered medical information about the dangers of the cars exhaust on Route 231 . Why now is that a concern and not before their children would  attend  there.

People, the district is not  kicking you out , your kids will still be in Half Hollow. There are many families enjoying the districts other  wonderful schools,what makes these two schools more worthy?

.I question the real reason for this upset, this attitude of not my school  appears to be  based on self centeredness and nothing more.

Being  a board member of the Half Hollow Historical Association, I find great irony in all of this.

For the last few years we have been  trying to get the town of Huntington  to purchase one of Half Hollow Hills oldest schools, built over 100 yrs ago . It sits on Seaman Neck Road, right  next door to the wonderful Paumanok school, another pride of Half Hollow.  Our hope is to keep our history alive.This one room school ,once a private home  is up for sale.The town has considered it and we needed to show the community interest in maintaining it. Over the past few years our association has made numerous  pleas to the community for  help in our  cause but there has always been  a strong lack of interest. Now that it applies to them and their interests  they find their voices. Yes, I do find this ironic.