A proposed regionalization plan by the New York State Schooling Division is being opposed by a bunch of vocal Lengthy Island faculty board members, mother and father and elected officers.
Whereas state schooling officers stated the plan encourages conversations throughout the state to boost entry for all college students to instructional alternatives, those that oppose it see it as an influence seize from particular person faculty districts, calling it a consolidation.
“Giving our teachers our time and everything else to other school districts,” stated Lawrence Lin, a dad or mum within the Herricks faculty district. “Those far away from our school district should not be making that decision.”
The state Schooling Division stated the plans make it simpler for varsity districts to share assets, in the event that they select to take action. Sharing is non-obligatory, not obligatory, in keeping with officers. However these in attendance at a Republican-held rally didn’t appear satisfied.
“I moved to Merrick and I pay very high taxes as a single mother and I don’t want that taken away from me,” stated Samantha Lapella.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Matteson, a senior deputy commissioner for schooling coverage stated in an interview with NBC New York that “no districts will be forced to do anything in those regional plans.”
In regard to accusations that the state will now pressure the sharing of assets, Matteson replied, “We have no interest at all in watering down strong programs. That’s not the goal at all. We don’t want resources redistributed that are having a positive effect in one district.”
“We do an awful lot of collaborating with our neighbors and we do it very, very well,” stated Roslyn Faculty District Board President Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy. “We certainly do not need an added administrative layer or added supervisor to do it.”
A spokesman for Gov. Kathy Hochul stated Thursday that she has no oversight of the proposed plan however issued a press release saying partially, “it is the Governor’s firm position that this proposal should be OPTIONAL for each school district.”
Nonetheless, a coalition of college board members despatched a joint letter condemning the plan and a handful of college boards are vowing to legally problem the state’s plan.
