Tarmac Online

By Charles Cozeolino ’28

For almost 100 years, Chaminade High School’s Crimson and Gold colors have flown proudly over the streets of Mineola. As students walk the halls every day, the campus becomes a “second home” — a place as familiar as any other in their lives.

Beyond the Chaminade campus lies a village that has grown alongside us. To get a sense of how the Chaminade “effect” looks from the outside, Tarmac reached out to Mineola Mayor Paul Pereira. As both the leader of the Incorporated Village of Mineola and an educator himself, Mayor Pereira offered perspective on the logistics, economics, and future of the relationship between Chaminade and its hometown.

The Commuter Connection

One of the most visible links between the school and the town is the daily movement to and from the Mineola Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station. While Chaminade is often thought of as one of the Island’s major “train schools,” the Mayor offered some helpful context: out of a student body of 1,700, the number of LIRR commuters is only a few hundred.

Even so, Mayor Pereira described this transit connection as a “win-win” for both the school and the village. “I don’t know of any other school that has the convenience of a major transportation hub within walking distance,” he said. “That is a benefit to Chaminade and the business community.” As class sizes have grown over the years, so too has the number of student commuters — and with them, the economic activity they bring to Mineola.

The Economic Footprint

A defining feature of Chaminade’s 96-year history has been physical expansion. From its original buildings to the newest Dolan Family Science, Technology, and Research Center (STRC), the school continues to build for the future. Mayor Pereira acknowledged this growth with admiration, while also noting that it requires thoughtful management on the village’s part.

One consideration that many students might not be aware of is the matter of the tax roll. As a non-profit institution, Chaminade’s properties are tax-exempt. “The village also has to address the loss in tax revenue each time Chaminade purchases a building or property,” Pereira explained. He emphasized that the village takes genuine pride in Chaminade’s high-quality facilities, while also working to address the concerns of neighbors who want to preserve their quality of life near a growing campus. It is a balance the village navigates with care.

Mayor Pereira also offered broader context on Chaminade’s place in the local economy. While Chaminade draws students from across the Island and is regarded as one of the top Catholic high schools in the region, Pereira noted that NYU Langone Hospital serves as the village’s primary economic anchor. “Chaminade’s economic footprint, albeit an important one, is not on that scale,” he remarked. Rather than diminishing Chaminade’s role, this perspective serves as a reminder that the school is one vital piece of a much larger puzzle — one that includes healthcare, local businesses, and the thousands of residents who keep Mineola running every day.

The Chaminade Legacy

Beyond statistics and policy, Mayor Pereira’s message was ultimately one of mutual respect. When Chaminade undertakes a new construction project, he noted, “they build well and they build to last” — a reflection of the school’s broader commitment to excellence.

“The Village of Mineola is exceedingly proud to have Chaminade call Mineola home,” the Mayor concluded.

As Chaminade looks ahead to 2030 and its centennial celebration, it is clear that the relationship between the school and the village — complex as it may be at times — rests on a foundation of shared pride and goodwill.