Malverne's Short Life As Cherry High School

Welcome to Elizabeth Carol Cherry Memorial High School - home of the Mules.

For a brief moment during Tuesday night's meeting of the Malverne Board of Education, Malverne High School had a new name.

As a tribute to thea graduate of the school district who then went on to devote 30-plus teachers as an educator at Maurice W. Downing School, three out of the four board members present at the May 10 meeting voted in favor of the name change.

Lynn Singleton, a West Hempstead resident, presented a petition to the board during the public input session of the meeting that had over 200 electronic signatures in support of the renaming. (Click here to view the petition.)

"As I reflect on the significant impact Carol Cherry had on left on our community and children it has become evident that her name should have a permanent place within in the Malverne school district," Singleton stated, reading a letter that had been sent to Board President Patrick Coonan on January 12 requesting the name change be considered.

It had been written by Rener Reed, a resident of Lakeview, who said she hand-delivered the letter to the central administration office, copying all the board members on it. Reed later explained to the board that she had received a call from the district clerk saying a decision had been made on her suggestion, but she asked that the response be sent to her in a written format.

"The request was put in writing...and I wanted it in writing," Reed said. "I thought I deserved that respect."

But according to Reed, a written response never came.

Singleton said a letter has been sent to the mayors of Malverne and Lynbrook regarding the renaming and they've requested to speak on the matter at an upcoming village board meeting.

According to Assistant Superintendent for District Operations Spiro Colatis the cost of changing the name would be minimal.

The district's attorney said a decision would have to be made by the board and Superintendent James Hunderfund further explained the process. 

"It is accepted by the board tonight and the board will take it under advisement. Obviously, we don't have a full board," Hunderfund said, referring to the absence of Dr. Coonan. "Someone on the board can put it on an agenda for a future vote, if the board so decides to vote or they can give a response..."

Upon hearing this, board member Gina Genti abruptly said, "I wish to make a motion to rename Malverne High School  E. Carol Cherry Memorial High School."

Board member Karen Aker quickly seconded it, and then Danielle Hopkins joined the two in voting "Yes" for the change.

"I was told you only need three," Singleton said.

"You just got three votes," Genti said.

The celebration among the residents who rallied for the change was a brief one though, as the district's attorney spoke up.

"I'm not sure whether or not under the board's own rules for governance it requires any kind notice in advance to put something like this on the agenda. This just came up tonight," she said. "I would suggest you hold off on a vote tonight and move it to the agenda at a later point...in the meantime look at your bylaws."

With that Genti rethought her decision, saying "giving the community an opportunity to come forward - that's a good idea," and motioned to rescind her previous motion. Her fellow board members voted again in support, reversing the renaming.

Reed spoke up, citing instances in the past where the board vote named buildings and other school facilities in memory of others without seeking input from the community.

"It was done by the board...so all this other [stuff] is unnecessary," she said.

Genti responded. "I truly believe that this district belongs to the residents...the buildings belong to the residents," she said. "To take ownership of something likes and to change the name of a building...the community should be involved."

Genti encouraged Singleton to go out into the community - or use the Internet to reach residents - and gather their signatures to strengthen the petition.

To further back her stance that the decision shouldn't rest solely in hands of the board, she explained that she did not have much contact with Cherry because the teacher retired the year her son started school. The community on the other hand, was clearly impacted by her presence, Gina explained.

"I've never heard anything but high, high praise for her," she said. "I've seen teachers break down in tears when you mention her name and administrators...and the look on [parents'] faces.. you just know she was that teacher.

"There aren't many of those teachers and she was one of them."

Genti apologized for the way in which the decision was made and then quickly reversed, but assured the residents that it would be revisited. 

"I'm sorry it happened that way, but we’ll get it done," she added.