Wantagh board updates on capital projects, legal fight over 'Warrior' name; approves contracts and donations

The Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education heard updates on district capital work, recognized a Forest Lake sensory room with a state schools association award and approved a slate of routine contracts and donations at its recent meeting, while Superintendent McNamara said the district is continuing a legal challenge to keep the “Warrior” mascot.

Superintendent McNamara said the district is operating under a one-year extension from the State Education Department that allows it to continue using the Warrior name while the district pursues pending court actions. “Right now, we’re operating under a 1 year extension from the State Education Department to maintain our current mascot,” Superintendent McNamara said. He told the board the district has a federal case under appeal and has also filed a challenge in New York State court; he said the board would update the public as the cases proceed.

The meeting highlighted summer capital work districtwide. McNamara told the board the district renovated the high school cafeteria and serving lines at elementary schools, replaced unit ventilators in every instructional space at the high school and at “Huanta Elementary” (transcript spelling), completed bathroom replacements in 16 classrooms, replaced flooring in about 15 classrooms, installed new cooling towers at two buildings and plans to replace windows and continue HVAC work through the school year. The board also shared schematic drawings for a combined library/media and…