2 East Northport Elementary Schools To Close Following Vote

NORTHPORT, NY — Two East Northport elementary schools are set to close after the Northport-East Northport Board of Education voted on Thursday to do so, the district stated.

Bellerose Avenue and Dickinson Avenue elementary schools will shutter, effective Aug. 31, and the district will reorganize to a K-4, 5-8 and 9-12 model for the 2021-22 school year.

"This decision was made following careful consideration and planning to ensure we can continue to provide our students and community with an exceptional education and school experience," the district told Patch. "The district is looking forward to working in partnership with our community to successfully transition our students and implement the enhancements that can be provided under this new model."

The board voted 5-2 to close the schools, Newsday reported.

Superintendent Robert Banzer, in a letter to parents and guardians, said the decision will allow the district to be "fiscally responsible now and into the future," as well as provide "enhanced opportunities" for students that are only possible with the closure of the two schools.

"I know this is an emotional process, and can assure you that district administration and staff are here to support all of our families through this process," Banzer wrote. "While we process this change, we want to emphasize that students have always been, and will always be, our first priority. Ensuring that this transition is a positive experience for our entire district community will be our focus over the next few months and throughout the next school year."

Students and parents will be able to visit their new school between May 24 and June 11, while teacher placements will be finalized over the next few weeks, Banzer said.

Counselors across all elementary buildings will be focused on helping students boost their social-emotional skills to support them through the changes.

Four elementary schools in the district remain open: Fifth Avenue Elementary School, Norwood Avenue Elementary School, Ocean Avenue Elementary School and Pulaski Road Elementary School. The district has two middle schools — one in Northport and one in East Northport — as well as Northport High School.