Letters to the Editor - Lynbrook/East Rockaway

Sports complex is a luxury

To the Editor:
As a longtime resident of Lynbrook and a formerly active member of the PTA, I am appalled that the generally conservative budget presented by the Lynbrook School District will include a separate resolution asking the community to approve spending $4.6 million from the capital reserve on a sports complex at South Middle School.
A state-of-the-art turf field, and a new track with the accompanying facilities, would be a great addition to our district ­— but it’s a luxury — not something that is required to provide our children with a strong, solid education, which should be our primary focus.
My three youngest children all benefitted from their participation in sports during their years in Lynbrook schools. They were members of award- winning cross-country and track and field teams. They learned a great deal about commitment, responsibility and teamwork, none of which required state-of-the-art facilities. Their accomplishments came from the hard work of the coaches and their teammates. Similarly, last year’s football team became county champions playing on the current grass field. Teams can continue to be successful without a new complex as long as they continue to show the same work ethic.
Before this so-called improvement is considered, there are questions that should be answered: Are there no improvements to our various buildings, which should take precedence? Are the heating systems operating at peak efficiency? Are all the roofs at a point where pre-emptive repairs are not needed to stave off leaks in the near future? Are the bathrooms in the buildings modernized for comfort and economy? Are each of the buildings handicapped-accessible and equipped with sound and lighting equipment to support the arts? Have the science labs been updated?