Wantagh, Seaford Schools To Remain Closed Monday

Schools will be closed in Wantagh and Seaford Monday for a sixth straight instructional day as both districts continue to recover from damages caused by Superstorm Sandy early last week. 

The Wantagh School District announced Sunday that schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday with a re-opening planned for Wednesday on a one hour delay. Wantagh Acting Superintendent Maureen Goldberg said district officials examined several factors when determining whether it was safe to open Monday including downed wires in several neighborhoods, blocked roadways, inoperable traffic lights, challenges getting gas due to supply shortages and many being without power.

“We anticipate that transportation will be available on Wednesday with bus pick-up one hour later than your regularly scheduled pick-up time,” said Goldberg in a statement to district parents Sunday. “I will continue to provide updates as appropriate and I thank you for your continued support.”

In Seaford, schools will be closed Monday but all administrators, teachers, clericals, custodians and nurses will report to the Seaford High School Auditorium for an 8:30 a.m. staff meeting. The district will be using Monday as a day to prepare for an “efficient opening on Tuesday’, a message on the district’s website stated.

Seaford District officials emphasized that while there is an anticipation that schools will be open Tuesday, there may need to be contingency plans to have Seaford Harbor School students be educated in Seaford Manor School due to their building still not having power as of Sunday.

In the neighboring Levittown School District, which services students in northern sections of Wantagh and Seaford, schools will re-open Monday. Levittown district officials said in a message on their website that all roads are cleared and bus routes will operate normally.