Referendum to Sell the Lawrence #5 School

By Chaia Frishman

For over 22 years, Shulamith School for Girls has been an institution that anchors our community. Educating young women from preschool through high school, Shulamith is responsible for creating mainstays of our community, boasting alumni that continue to give to the next generation of the Five Towns and beyond.

With over 700 students and growing, finding a school space for these girls has never been simple. Yet mediocrity was never an option. Until eight years ago, the school had been renting in multiple locations throughout the Five Towns. Thankfully, District 15 had decided to rent out the #5 School, and for the first time, the entire elementary school was able to be under one roof. The school has paid over $600,000 a year in rent and has been lovingly cared for by Shulamith all these years. Any renovations have been the responsibility of Shulamith, and they have maintained the beauty of the school both inside and out and have made many enhancements at their own expense.

Two years ago, the Lawrence School District announced that they were going to sell the Number 5 School because of changes in demographic. They wanted to use the proceeds from the sale, coupled with money acquired through Sandy relief, to service the other public schools in the district. While it would seem obvious to offer the building to its eager current tenants, regulations require that the sale go through proper procedures, and a listing agent was hired, who had multiple inquiries to purchase the building. There are district rules and regulations. A public school building can’t just be sold to the highest bidder. The decision needs to be voted on and go to a referendum, which is being held from 7AM-10 PM on Thursday, February 16 at Lawrence High School at 2 Reilly Rd in Lawrence, NY. All District 15 residents are encouraged to go out to vote.

It cannot be emphasized enough. The alternative to Shulamith buying this building is deeply concerning. There is talk that instead of Shulamith getting the deal, the sale might go to a property developer. This has posed a real threat to the home of our precious daughters and the entire community. Do we really need another luxury apartment complex? Our priorities must lie with the future leaders of our community. Being that the sale of the building to Shulamith is not definite, we implore every member of the community, Shulamith parents and our neighborhood friends and supporters who are District 15 residents, to come out in droves and vote!

Shulamith has always been a good neighbor to all the surrounding homes of the school. So much is riding on the result of this sale, and a positive outcome will only come with the collective efforts of our community. Please be part of the solution and encourage your friends and family in District 15 to come out on February 16th and choose Shulamith, choose our future,by voting in the referendum at Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Rd, between 7 am and 10 pm.