Bellmore-Merrick driver's education postponed until school closure ends

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District's driver education program, which intructs students on driving skills in preparation of their driver's license test,  is postponed until after the prolonged school closures. 

The New York State Education Department issued updated guidance for such programs on Thursday. Administrations that have completed at least 18 hours of the program can continue the reamaing six hours remotely, according to BMCHSD Director of Athletics and Drivers Education Eric Caballero. (The total cumulative hours required for drivers education is 24 hours under NYSED guidelines.)

Students in the Bellmore-Merrick program have only completed less than eight hours, however, meaning the district does not meet the requirements to offer remote drivers education, Caballero said.

Students signed up for the current program will have their tuitions honored by the district by providing credit for diriving classes in the summer or fall of 2020.  

The district's first priority, Caballero said, is to complete the spring 2020 session when possible. They may not be able to offer summer classes due to the carry-over, for which applications had not yet opened. 

"I can't say it enough, I just feel for the kids and their families," said Caballero of Long Island's many prolonged school closures. "Their lives were just completely interrupted."