A Night Of Athletic Accolades
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The Garden City Board of Education held its last meeting of the year Monday evening in a packed high school cafeteria filled with athletes and their family members who came to honor several teams and players, as well as a large group of teachers who attended for the fourth month in a row to silently show their support for resolution to the contract dispute between their union and the district.

Both sides in the contract dispute between the Garden City School District and the Garden City Teachers' Association have agreed to seek assistance from mediator Howard Edelman from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). The first mediation session was held on December 11th and the next one is scheduled for January 17th.

Under the Public Employees Fair Employment Act, commonly known as the Taylor Law, every contract provision remains in effect even though it expired on June 30th. The labor relations statute covers most public employees in New York State and establishes, among other things, procedures for the resolution of collective bargaining disputes.

If resolution is not achieved after a number of mediation sessions, another PERB staff member is appointed to conduct the next step, called "fact-finding." More mediation sessions can be held, or the staff member can decide to hold a hearing and produce a written, nonbinding recommendation for settlement to both parties. Five days after releasing the document to the two sides, the recommendation is made available to the public.

In other news, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen announced that after comprehensive evaluation, four new courses will be made available to high school students in the next school year.

"It's certainly the board's desire and the administration's wishes to continue to have a program at the high school that enhances its standing as a leading high school, not only in our region but in the country," he said.

The courses that will be offered include Advanced Placement World History, an AP course which the district will allow for the first time to be taken by sophomores; a social science research course, which is being designed to prepare students for the world beyond high school; Statistics Through Sports, where students will combine mathematical wizardry and computer technology; and the History of American Art, which will fill an important niche in the humanities program, according to Dr. Feirsen.

Dr. Feirsen also said that Rachel's Challenge was very well-received this year at the middle school and high school. The national program, which was developed after the Columbine shootings, seeks to achieve a greater understanding of diversity. Dr. Feirsen said parent meetings that followed the presentation, as well as break-out sessions at the middle school with 40 student leaders from the high school, were very productive.

New York State Senator Kemp Hannon presented a resolution to the girls' field hockey team, who won the state championship during the last school year. The field hockey team was undefeated with a 21 and 0 record in the fall. Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus, head coach Diane Chapman and assistant coach Janet Rogler were also recognized. Hannon said he would present resolutions for the other winning varsity teams in the future.

The girls' swim team was also recognized for winning their eighth straight Nassau County championship. Swimmer Erica Durlath placed first in the state championships in the 500-meters and was named All American.

Student Laura Haynes was applauded for being the first Garden City volleyball player to win two awards, All Long Island and All State. She led her team to an undefeated conference title and the Nassau County final, where they lost in five games.