Hawthorne board defends community survey as residents urge retention of high school rink

The Hawthorne Board of Education released a prepared statement explaining a community survey about the high school athletic complex and reiterated that the survey is one part of a legally required, five‑year facility planning process. The statement noted more than 600 responses had been received and that the questionnaire is intended to gather community input ahead of a required long‑range facilities update.

Why it matters: The survey and a related shared‑services agreement with the Borough of Hawthorne prompted dozens of public comments at the meeting, with parents, volunteers and coaches warning that removing or limiting access to the town rink would reduce opportunities for students and damage long‑standing community programs.

Board statement and survey background The board said the survey was developed collectively and was intended to inform the district’s required long‑range facilities plan, which the board described as a regular five‑year review. The board also said the district and borough have a shared‑service agreement that includes a duration clause so both parties can reassess use of property over time. The statement said the survey was prompted in part by a Lincoln Middle School survey result in which about 22 percent of respondents said they were considering attending high school outside Hawthorne and cited athletic facilities as a concern.

Public comments and community concerns Multiple speakers urged the board to keep the rink and maintain community access. Barry Houston, who identified himself as associated with local youth hockey, said the rink “has been a great facility” and thanked board members for cooperation on shared‑use issues. A number of parents and former students described the rink as an instructional space used for gym classes and informal play, and said it introduced some students to sports they would not otherwise try.

Parent Maryann Homelock said her son was excluded from milestone events after an academic decline and asked the board to consider how support is provided for students at risk; she connected the discussion to broader concerns about access to extracurriculars. Alyssa Avrios, who identified herself as a teacher and alumna, told the board removing the rink could “risk narrowing programming” and urged continued consultation with teachers, coaches and students before making changes.

Board clarification on agreement and timeline A board member clarified that the town/board agreement is a legally required document with a multi‑year term and a five‑year review point; the member said that clause allows both parties to revisit terms and does not amount to an immediate decision to remove or relocate facilities. The board emphasized that no removal or elimination decision had been made and that any future changes would require time and community input.

Next steps The board said it will review the survey responses and continue discussions with borough officials and stakeholders; no formal action to alter the rink or related facilities was taken at the meeting. Public comment on the topic remains open for future meetings.