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It was begun in 1967 with the help of Bob Clancy. Our main focus was on the basic courses, During a peak period, between 1968 to 72, we graduated over 140 students in one year, operating mainly with adult education programs. In one class, Valley Stream in Nassau County, we had our largest graduating class, somewhere in the vicinity of 60. At that time, Bob Bianco was teaching for the Long Island Extension. During the next several years, I served as Director of the New York School, when Arnold Weinstein was removed as Director. There was therefore not much activity on the Island; but, about 1975, when I asked to be relieved, as I was still teaching full time, activity increased and more attention was paid to classes. We also became interested in promoting property tax reform and as a result of a state senator on Long Island who became interested (Senator Owens Johnson), a series of conferences began in Albany.

Again in 1983, I became Director again after the death of Phil Finkelstein, so activity slowed down a bit but we continued to average about 60 graduates a year, still one of the highest with the extensions. Then about three years ago I submitted my resignation as director of the Long Island School and it has been dormant ever since.

Two Georgists who deserve credit for their involvement in the property tax reform are Jerry Schleicher and the late Samuel Scheck. Both. At that time, they were the avant guard in property tax reform and were preparing studies. Those who attended th Montreal Conference in 1967 witnessed the results of their study of 1,000 homes in Nassau County -- a study conducted without the use of the computer. It illustrated how home owners would gain if the taxes were shifted to land value. Their organization HALT (Homeowners Association to Lower Taxes) was dedicated towards this goal. Interest was garnered with their activities and talks to local organizations.

Jerry Schleicher was an interior decorator and teacher on Long Island. He is currently living in Florida and is the Vice President of the Henry George Foundation.

Dr. Samuel Scheck passed away in the summer of 1999 and was an orthodontist. He also was a teacher plus did some writing on Georgist principles.