Former credit union sale to Mineola schools to be finalized by month's end, officials say

The purchase of a $4.25 million commercial building to expand the Mineola High School campus and make room for a program to better prepare students with life after graduation, is expected to be finalized at the end of the month.

On Oct. 26, the community passed a referendum, 499 to 249, to use funds from the district’s undesignated fund balance to purchase a commercial property adjacent to the Mineola High School at 2400 Jericho Tpke., in Garden City Park. The former site of Sperry Federal Credit Union will house the district’s Synergy program, which was rebranded over the summer from a former alternative high school program. Officials said there will be no additional costs to residents.

The invitation-only initiative of 35 allows students to complete work at their own pace, instead of the traditional 40-minute class structure, while pursuing real world experiences through internships. Officials said Synergy is expected to open to all students by September 2022.

Mineola superintendent Michael Nagler said the program emphasizes self-management, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.

"We recognize that the current high school doesn't work for everybody," Nagler, said. "We’re trying to build a new version of high school that’s more appropriate with the 21st century and leverage some of the good things we were able to accomplish in the pandemic."

The district partners with CoreBTS Inc., an IT consulting firm, to provide students with internships and practical working experiences. A cohort of about 14 students split their time between an internship with CoreBTS and taking computer science classes at Nassau Community College, Nagler said.

"It exposes them to a variety of options after they graduate," Nagler said. He added that he wants to explore other internship programs that students will be interested in pursuing.

Kim Barnett, the PTA district council president, said there was overwhelming support from parents in the school’s PTAs.

"Mineola is always on the forefront of innovation. We’re always a head of the game and that’s exactly where this purchase and this program will be taking us," Barnett said. "Synergy will be a new way to revitalize an outdated high school system."

Barnett, 44, said her two children, who are in fourth and sixth grade, will see the benefits of the program when they get to high school.

"I think the kids will be more prepared for working in the real world," Barnett said. "The real world is working in groups and thinking outside the box… they need those critical thinking skills, which is not found in a traditional classroom anymore."